Prescot Cables manager Kevin Lynch was left devastated by their FA Cup exit to Bamber Bridge as the Bulls boss felt his side deserved more.
Finn Sinclair-Smith’s second-half strike separated the two sides after Cables defender Alex Gofton cancelled out Nathan Pond’s opener.
The hosts had a number of clearcut chances throughout the contest, Kyle Sambor and John Murphy were both denied twice from close-range.
Jack Goodwin had the best opening in the second half as the hosts trailed, he raced through, lobbing Felix Goddard only for the bounce of the looping effort to take the carry the ball over the bar.
Speaking to Off The Park after the game, the defeat left Lynch distraught. He said: “Gutted, absolutely gutted.
“To go out of the FA Cup is always disappointing because I feel more gutted for the lads, some of our lads deserve to be given the platform to showcase their talent because they’re a good bunch.
“The manner in which we went out, one ball up to, never dealt with it and we never took our chances at the end of the day.”
For the visitors, the manner in which they went in front can be deemed too easy from a Prescot Cables standpoint. Paul Dawson’s threaded a delivery towards the far post which was tapped home by Pond before Gofton was caught underneath a punt from the Brig goalkeeper, Felix Goddard.
Sinclair-Smith raced through and fired beyond Mitch Allen – which proved to be a winner.
The Prescot Cables manager felt the goals conceded were ‘schoolboy’ errors but didn’t want to pin the blame on any individuals, highlighting the number of chances they had at the other end.
“I just think it’s schoolboy in terms of we had a corner at one end, the ball up top, we haven’t dealt with it at the edge of the box,” he added.
MATCH REPORT: Prescot Cables 1-2 Bamber Bridge: Bulls bow out of FA Cup in narrow defeat
“We’ve almost scored ourselves and the goalkeeper punts upfield and they’ve run onto it. He’s took it well but again, it’s basic defending.
“At the end of the day, it’s a collective thing, I’ve just told them the lad who should’ve dealt with it is disappointed but at the other end, the lads should be scoring and we’re out of sight. We’re a team, we win, lose or draw together and stick together.”
But despite the scoreline, the Cables manager was pleased with how his side went toe-to-toe with a team from a higher division.
And on another day felt the tie could’ve been taken to a replay or even swung in the Bulls’ favour.
He continued: “I always thought we were in it to be honest. Sloppy goal we conceded, it came from our corner their first goal and we done well to get back into the game, we created the chances.
“Overall, I do think we showed we’re a good side, they’re a league above us, they’re a good side, I don’t think you could’ve known who was who really, just disappointed for the lads and from the club’s point of view.
“It was there for the taking, I think if we take our chances then we win. They’ve had chances themselves but I think no one would’ve argued if it would’ve been a draw.
“When you’re looking at things like that, you’re looking up to the gods to give you ‘Lady Luck’ but unfortunately football, it’s a cruel game sometimes,” Lynch said on Goodwin’s bizarre miss.
“Sometimes the better team doesn’t win, we’ve just got to focus on our league game on Tuesday game against Leek.”
But Lynch expressed his pride following their performance. “We’ve got a great bunch of lads, we’re a great team and it just goes to show how far this team has come in the short space of time that I’ve been here,” he said.
“To go against a good Bamber Bridge side we can hang our heads high – I said that to the lads, you’ve done yourselves proud and the club.”
Their opportunity to atone for their defeat is right around the corner as they travel to Leek Town.
And Lynch insists his side will not be feeling the after-effects of their narrow defeat on Saturday. He said: “There’s no better way [to bounce back] than away at Leek is to put it right. But Leek are a good side, one of the favourites to go up but we’re going there and there won’t be any hangover, I’ll tell you that.”
[Featured Image: John Middleton – Prescot Cables]
