NEEDHAM Market manager Kevin Horlock was ‘devastated’ for his side in Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat to York City, which saw the Minstermen progress to the first round proper of the Emirates FA Cup.

Horlock’s side had held York to a goalless draw on Saturday and forced a replay in Suffolk, in which it required a 92nd minute strike from Tyler Cordner for City to progress further in the FA Cup.

It was a spirited effort from Needham Market, who currently play their league football two divisions below York, but Horlock was proud of the efforts from his players after such a strong effort over two matches. 

“I'm devastated for the boys, they've over two games put in such a shift, and it was a horrible goal to concede and so late on." Horlock told the Needham Market media team.

“But they're obviously really dejected in there, and I understand it, but I couldn't be prouder of them. 

“They put in an unbelievable shift in over nearly 3 hours of football.

“They've gone toe to toe with a National League team and there wasn't much in it.

“As much as it hurts now I said to them down there, they've took this club, they've elevated this club to levels it's not been to before, with nights like this.

“So we're doing alright, it's just to bounce back now, they're deeply disappointed and rightly so, because they deserved more, but they're doing great!

“The game was slightly different tonight, we was a little bit more front foot, and was obviously it was going to be that way with us being at home, slightly different so, we had chances.

“They had (chances) as well, let's not kid ourselves, I'm not deluded, they've hit the post - we've had a bit fortunate with that.

“The lad should probably score when he's twisted inside and blazed over, but we've had chances.

“On another night we score and it could've been different, but fair play to them, they obviously over two games they battled away and they've gone through, so we wish them well in the next round.

“They had a lot of possession first game - tonight I think it was a little bit more even.

“We've had chances, and it just wasn't to be tonight, obviously disappointed to concede the goal so late on - in the manner it was conceded, but that comes from tiredness maybe, lack of concentration.

“I don't know, but I'm so proud of all of them, and this is where we need to realise what potential this team's got.

“This is where we need to stick together, and now take it into the league campaign, and obviously the Premier Cup - which are the two things we've got to play for.

“So there's nothing in the background to stop us pushing on, so it's important that we keep that hunger and drive that the group's got, be disappointed and want to replicate nights like tonight next season in the FA Cup - and we concentrate on the league, and try and accumulate as many points as we can.

Horlock also had the message for the Needham Market supporters, after an impressive run through the FA Cup.

“I hope they enjoyed the journey this year in the FA Cup, but we've got more to come from this team.

“This group of players have got more to come, and obviously we want to kick on in the league, Premier Cup, and then we'll revisit the FA Cup next season and try to get to that first round again.”