Dave Penney says Quakers' League Cup defeat at Watford has given him "food for thought".

With the Hornets encounter the first of three games away from the Darlington Arena, Penney made four changes to the side which started last Saturday's home defeat by Gillingham as he sought to make full use of his squad.

Ryan Valentine, Robin Hulbert, Franz Burgmeier and Gregg Blundell were all given their first starts of the season in place of Rob Purdie, Adam Griffin, David Poole and Adam Proudlock.

Burgmeier was lively on the left, while Blundell took his chance to shine by scoring his first goal since January's 3-0 win at Morecambe to force extra time.

The former Stockport wing pairing of Griffin and Poole were introduced with 19 minutes remaining at Vicarage Road and also caused the Watford defence concern, with Griffin delivering the pass that set Blundell clear for his leveller.

Talking to the Northern Echo Penney said: "Everybody was excellent. You can't go to a place like Watford and have people off their game, most have to be on their game to get a result against a Championship club so we're pleased with the performance.

"It gives us a lot of food for thought with the players we left out and the fresh ones we brought in."

Quakers fashioned the better chances and could have won the game immediately after Blundell struck, as Billy Clarke missed from closerange before the on-loan Ipswich striker was off target again in extra time after outwitting centre-back Leigh Bromby.

However, Watford won through to round three with their only serious effort on goal in the additional 30 minutes and Penney feels this is an experience his squad must learn from.

"That's the difference at this level, the higher you go up chances like that get taken," he added.

"I think they had one chance in the last hour and they took it - we had numerous chances and didn't take them.

"That's why some of our players are playing at this level and some of theirs are playing at a higher level, simple as that."