Everyone at Eccleshill shared the massive disappointment of the club's midweek exit from the FA Vase.

That was the verdict from club spokesman Paul Jarvis after the dust had settled on the injury-time replay defeat to Pickering Town.

The loss means United will not extend their interest in this season's competition into the new year, when the last 32 clubs in the country will reconvene.

"It would have been nice to have that simmering on the backburner into January," said Jarvis.

"It wasn't to be and the players, management and coaches all felt it. They feel as bad as any of the club's fans. Disappointed, annoyed, frustrated, you name it, they are feeling it."

The initial meeting at Plumpton Park last Saturday went to extra time after the sides scored once each in 90 minutes. The replay looked to be heading the same way as it was balanced at 2-2 three minutes into the four added on for stoppages.

Nobody had time to dwell on the defeat because the players and coaches had to prepare for tonight's league fixture at Maltby Main. However, there was still time for brief reflection.

Jarvis said: "The two ties were very close and that proves the players did their best. The disappointment at the result is obvious but it was a close-run thing.

"There were a lot of pluses to come out of the tie as a whole; some of the individual performances in the two games were very good. Pickering are one of the top teams in our division and we matched them, without doubt.

"Pickering will be in the frame for promotion to the UniBond League at the end of this season and we believe if we can maintain the form and effort shown in these two games we will be up there with them."

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