The full-back blamed a string of missed chances for North End's exit from the tournament before the really big boys have even entered.

And he insisted: "We lacked that bit of a cutting edge. It's about taking your chances and we just didn't do that against Derby."

Preston had the bulk of the possession and carved more openings than the Rams.

But it was just one of those frustrating nights for Alan Irvine's side in a competition which has proved something of a nuisance to North End over the years.

Paul Green scored the only goal of the game five minutes before the break with a looping header which gave keeper Andrew Lonergan no chance.
Derby also clipped a post and had a worthy penalty appeal refused by referee Jon Moss.

But overall it was Preston who bossed the match – a fact which Hart and his team-mates found difficult to swallow.

"I thought we did really well," he said. "We passed the ball well and we controlled the game.

"I don't know what the stats say, but I reckon we probably had the majority of the possession and the majority of the chances.

"But if you don't take your chances you don't win games, and that is what happened."

"It was frustrating, but if you don't put the ball in the net you don't win matches," said Hart, who was making only his second start of the season – both of them cup ties.

Hart took over at right-back from Jones, who moved inside to give centre-half Youl Mawene a breather.

The January signing from Aberdeen insists he is still not as match fit as he would like,and that is despite a tough pre-season and two 90-minute outings for North End in the Carling Cup.

"I still feel I am a few games away," he said. "I'm just getting a bit here and a bit there.

"Pre-season games prepare you so far, but getting into first team games is a little bit different.

"I think the sharpness and the ability to make the right
decisions just come with games.

"But to be fair to Billy and the manager, Billy has done well. And until he starts struggling or gets injured I need to be patient.

"Hopefully my chance will come.

"It's a shame our unbeaten run has come to an end. "But we have a good game coming up on Saturday and a win in that one would help us forget the disappointment of this one."

Read the rest of this story in Wednesday's Lancashire Evening Post

>> Preston v Derby Match Report

>> Alan Irvine rages at ref