They may be staring at two defeats from their opening two games – but Andy Barcham reckons AFC Wimbledon have already proved they can adapt to life in League One.

The Dons put in decent performances against both Walsall on Saturday and Peterborough in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night, despite losing both games.

Both teams will be among the favourites for promotion to the Championship, and running them both close, Peterborough especially , will give the Dons a confidence booster.

Barcham said after the defeat at London Road: “The lads are disappointed, we thought we had enough to take it to extra time and to win it.

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“The lads are down, but we can take a bit of heart from the performance as we raised our levels, and I think we matched Peterborough. We just need to brush up on certain things

“We played a good team tonight, same as on Saturday, and both will probably be pushing for promotion. I think we've made a good case for ourselves, so we can take heart from that.

“To know that we can handle ourselves in this league is reassuring, and if we keep performing like we are, I'm sure the results will come.”

Barcham has fond memories of the EFL Cup, having made his only appearance for boyhood heroes Spurs against Port Vale in a tie in the same competition 10 years ago – playing alongside the likes of Jermaine Defoe, Edgar Davids and Tom Huddlestone.

Boyhood dream: Barcham during his one and only appearance for Spurs

He said: “That was one of my proudest moments, making my first appearance for the club I supported as a boy. It was a great occasion for myself and my family, and I will always look back on it with some pride.”

Barcham had the chance to write another chapter in the competition's history last night when the ball fell to him in front of an open goal with his side 2-1 down – but he somehow missed, and it was left to Lyle Taylor to equalise instead before Peterborough bagged a last-gasp winner.

He added: “When it dropped to me my eyes lit up. I thought this is coming straight to me, and it was only when it got closer I realised it was just a bit behind me.

“Perhaps I took it for granted that I thought it would be an easy chance, but I still should score chances like that, it just wasn't going in for me. I just need to keep getting in those positions and hopefully more chances will come.”