CONCORD Rangers goalkeeper Chris Haigh urged his team-mates to hold their heads high despite being left gutted by defeat in the FA Trophy final this afternoon.

Haigh pulled off a string of fine saves at Wembley but was unable to stop the Beach Boys losing 1-0 to Harrogate Town.

But the Concord shot-stopper was rightfully proud of the battling performance against their League Two opponents. 

“Every single man in that dressing room can say they did their job and everyone should be super proud of themselves because I thought they were fantastic,” said Haigh.

“We’ve come here and shown we can more than compete against these kind of teams.

“If everyone is on it and we do our jobs we can compete and we have done here.

“Obviously it's gutting and I really felt like the game was there for us.

“We could've it nicked it but it just wasn't meant to be unfortunately.”

Haigh did superbly well to keep out a deflected effort from Jon Stead in the first half.

But he had no idea he had been voted man of the match.

“It's news to me I was man of the match, I didn't know that and I didn't hear them announce anything either,” said Haigh.

“This whole day and playing at Wembley hasn't really sunk in at all yet.

“I'll assess everything when I get home but it's been great.

I'll certainly be watching a few of the saves back and I might even have to screen record that one in the first half.”

Haigh also played a key part in Concord reaching the final and was relieved to finally see the final being played.

“We've been through so much to even get here and there have been so many ups and downs as to whether or not this game would even be played,” said Haigh.

“To come out after only having played friendlies in the build up and to be able to play like that is testament to all of the boys.

“I felt like I was close to the goal as well.

“A slight touch on that and the first shot goes wide of the post but I wasn't quite good enough on the day.”

And Haigh kept himself sharp for the final by training with Southend United.

“I’ve been training there for a while and it’s been good,” said Haigh.

“It’s definitely helped me.”