Jim Goodwin admits his Dundee United side are "not quite fit enough" after they were beaten 1-0 by Scottish League One side Montrose in Tuesday's League Cup group stage game.
A defensive lapse for United's Ross Graham allowed Montrose's Graham Webster to score the only goal of the game at Links Park.
The defeat comes after a stoppage time penalty helped the Tangerines to a narrow 1-0 win against Stirling Albion at the weekend.
The result on Tuesday means Stirling Albion, Arbroath, Montrose and United all sit on three points in Group B but Arbroath and Montrose have a game in hand.
"We lacked that bit of creativity that we spoke about on Saturday," Goodwin told club media.