Burton players 'understood gravity' of cup tie - Hounsell

Tom Hounsell is trying to close an eight-point gap to safety in League One with Burton bottom

Burton interim boss Tom Hounsell said his players "understood the gravity" of their FA Cup second-round tie against non-league Tamworth and must all "individually reflect" on what went wrong.

The Brewers, bottom of League One, were dumped out on penalties by the National League side in the shock of the round as their difficult season hit a new low.

"There's not many answers I can give them - they need to realise when they play for this football club they have to work unbelievably hard and that has to transcend into results," Hounsell told BBC Radio Derby.

"It's important the players individually reflect on what's happened and whatever frustrations they have, they have to get them out of the system."

Hounsell was put in temporary charge on 23 October following the sacking of Mark Robinson and so far has failed to revive results, winning only one of five league games.

His only other victories have come in cup competitions - in the first round of the FA Cup, against another non-league side Scarborough Athletic, and at Northampton Town in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

Following the defeat at home by Staffordshire rivals Tamworth, captain Elliot Ward call for some "hard truths" to be told and questioned some of his team-mates' commitment.

But Hounsell was adamant their shock exit was not down to complacency.

"I have no questions about that whatsoever - the players understood the gravity of the game," he said.

"It was drilled into them by myself and they know what it means to put on the shirt - particularly in this game.

"Any moment they put on the badge, there is a certain amount of pride and determination that is synonymous with not only their own individual performance but also the team performance.

"We haven't given the fans the result they deserve and we apologise for that but we have to stick together in these moments.

"We've got games coming thick and fast and we're in this together and we have to try to move forward together."

Burton's latest setback will intensify speculation over how long Hounsell's interim spell will last.

The 29-year-old says he expects to be in charge for Wednesday's trip to Peterborough "as far as I'm aware", but has no clarity on his long-term future.

"I don't think that's my decision," he said. "I'm here to work hard every day for this football club and I'll carry on doing that in whatever capacity is deemed appropriate.

"It's important that people take stock, reflect and strategise about what we need moving forward.

"It's important those decisions are made collectively and we do that in an informed position."