JORDAN DAVIES says Wrexham can't afford to keep starting games so poorly after making the step up to a higher level.

The Reds, promoted as National League champions last season, began life back in the Football League with a 5-3 defeat against MK Dons at The STōK Cae Ras on Saturday.

Playing in League Two for the first time in 15 years, Wrexham got off to the worst possible start as the visitors took a two-goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes.

Although Jacob Mendy pulled a goal back just before the break, MK Dons - relegated from League One last term - went 4-1 up in the second half.

Davies and fellow substitute Anthony Forde found the net either side of MK Dons scoring a fifth goal, and the midfielder says Phil Parkinson's men will learn from the defeat.

"I thought MK Dons were a good side," said Davies, who was introduced as a substitute on the hour mark for his EFL debut.

"We have stepped up a league and are obviously going to step up against quality in opposition.

"Their front two were probably the difference.

"They took their chances and penalised us, and you can't start that slowly against good teams.

"The atmosphere before the game was good but their two early goals probably killed the atmosphere which was a shame.

"It hits home when they go 2-0 up early on, you have got a mountain to climb against good opposition.

"That can't happen every week so we will have to rectify that.

"It is something we can learn from and it has happened first game of the season instead of further down the line.

"Scoring three goals is good from an attacking point of view but conceding five goals is a negative from a defensive point of view, and that is something we have got to look at."

Wrexham host Wigan Athletic in tomorrow's League Cup first round tie before facing AFC Wimbledon at Plough Lane in the league on Saturday.

There was no opening day win to savour but Davies, who hails from Coedpoeth, is looking to bounce back.

"We spoke about it before the game about getting off to a good start at home," he added.

"It hasn't happened but we will regroup and go again on Tuesday night, looking to put all the wrongs right.

"The better team won. MK Dons were just better than us on the day.

"We win together like we won a lot last year together, and we will lose together like we did today.

"We will take that on board and come back as a team."