NIGEL Clough said it was a frustrating evening as the Brewers lost 2-0 to Everton in the Leasing.com Trophy.
The Brewers manager said: "We started very poorly and gave a goal away - although it was touch and go whether he was offside or not.
"Against any team when you are chasing it from early on it makes life difficult and they have some very good young players. They are technically very good, are very organised and very fit.
"We created a few chances and half chances but nowhere near as many as against Bournemouth and we weren't as cutting and as fluent."
Clough said he wouldn't be taking much of comfort from the game but there were a few positives.
"Reece Hutchinson was very good and got forward into some good positions so he's in with a chance of starting at MK Dons on Saturday. Stephen Bywater did well and made some good saves and was very unlucky with the second goal as no-one was helping him out with the rebound.
"It was also interesting in the last 30 minutes looking at three centre halves at the back. That's something different that we have talked about and we might have to use it at some point."
The Brewers now head to MK Dons on Saturday as we return to League One action.
Clough said: "They were a bit unlucky not to ge something at Sunderland. They have some good players and momentum from being promoted last season. We will need our game management to be better than it was in the last two away games."