Runcorn Linnets manager Billy Paynter has urged his players to use their disappointment for their upcoming promotion battle via the playoffs.
The Northern Premier League West side were beaten on penalties by Marine AFC as they failed to win the illustrious Liverpool Senior Cup at the first time of asking.
Neither team could be separated after 90 minutes at Widnes' DCBL Stadium last night before Neil Young's side held their own from the spot to win their eighth crown in the competition - and their first for 15 years.
READ MORE: Liverpool Senior Cup joy for Marine as they beat Runcorn Linnets in a dramatic penalty shootout
Linnets' attention diverts back to the league campaign as they travel to Trafford on Saturday with their spot in the playoffs already secured. The prospect of Workington AFC and Leek Town - who they beat at the same stage last season - looms.
"I said to the players have no regrets coming off the pitch after 90 minutes and I can’t say they have any regrets, they dug in against a good, tough Marine side," Paynter told the ECHO.
"In the first half, I thought we had the better of the chances, just not the composure around the boxes and then through our mistakes they started getting into the game, applying their pressure and the quality shown.
"But we’ve been solid, our back line is strong, I just felt could we nick one at the end and as the game wore on it was going to be a scruffy goal or a penalty but it wasn’t to be. Then you’re going to penalties, it’s the luck of the draw and it just wasn’t to be tonight.
"I’m saying words and I don’t know if the lads are taking it in or looking straight through me because it’s not a nice way to lose," he added on the dressing room mood. "For Marine it’s a nice feeling and tonight there had to be a loser - unfortunately, it was us."
Bayleigh Passant saved two spot-kicks in the shootout with Linnets shot-stopper Danny Taberner denying Louis Britton. Despite the heartache, the former Port Vale striker hailed his players and expressed pride in the defeat but urged that they take it into their playoff push.
He continued: "I’m proud of my players in there, there’s a few players who are down or taking responsibility because they missed the penalties but we win as a team and lose as a team. We’ve got to stick together, I said to them use this and how you’re feeling, it’s the last time, we’ll galvanise, stick together and win the playoffs.
"It’s my job to get the boys in on Thursday, try get them upbeat and shake this off quickly as possible.
"I’ve said use this now, we don’t feel like this again whether it’s Leek or Workington, we know it’ll be a tough game but if we get into this playoffs we don’t have this feeling again."
READ NEXT:
