JOHN Coventry insists he had ‘no complaints’ about East Thurrock United’s performance despite seeing their FA Trophy run ended in the second qualifying round by Bognor Regis Town.
Despite Alex Clark getting his name on the scoresheet, a Bradley Lethbridge brace and Doug Tuck effort ensured Bognor would record a 3-1 win.
And Coventry admits his side were guilty of not asking their Isthmian Premier League rivals enough questions in the final third.
“We were alright and I have no complaints about our performance,” said the East Thurrock boss.
“The difference is that they were better at what they do than we were.
“Five weeks ago, people were saying that Bognor would be the whipping boys but they have turned it around.
“They played the game in a very good way and, from my point of view, we weren’t quite good enough.
“We didn’t really ask questions of them.”
Amos Nasha and Darren Foxley, who joined less than 24 hours before the tie, went straight into East Thurrock’s starting line-up.
But Bognor went ahead inside nine minutes as Portsmouth loanee Lethbridge burst past Rocks goalkeeper Jack Giddens before netting.
East Thurrock were level soon after the half hour mark when Clark broke down the right wing and jinked past a couple of home defenders before firing home,
But Bognor restored their slender advantage 60 seconds later as Tuck curled beyond Giddens to add his name to the scoresheet.
And the hosts put daylight between the two sides nine minutes after the interval as Lethbridge was found in space and the frontman slammed his effort into the back of the net.
East Thurrock went in search of a way back into the contest as captain Ryan Scott saw a thunderous header graze the outside of the post before former Grays Athletic goalkeeper Amadou Tangara made a fine save to deny Clark, but Bognor had done enough to progress.
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