David Jeffrey described Ballymena United's Irish Cup final defeat to Crusaders as "football at its most cruel".
The Sky Blues were seconds away from winning the blue riband trophy at Windsor Park.
But Josh Robinson's 93rd-minute equaliser sent the game to extra-time, and then former player Johnny McMurray fired home a stunning winner for the Crues with virtually the last kick of the game.
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It was a devastating loss for Ballymena United, their second extra-time defeat in an Irish Cup final in the space of three years.
"Football can be very cruel. Today we saw football at its most cruel," Jeffrey said.
"I thought we were excellent for long periods, I thought we were the better side for long periods.
"We were a minute away from winning it in ordinary time. Then we go to extra-time and we're even less than a minute away from taking them to penalties.
"I feel bitterly disappointed for our chairman, Mr John Taggart, who has done so much alongside Mr Don Sterling. Our board, our committee, our supporters turned out in incredible numbers and gave us so much support, it was phenomenal.
"The players ran themselves into the ground, they gave absolutely everything. Football can be a cruel game, today you saw it at its absolute worst."
Ballymena led through Robbie Weir's unfortunate own goal in the ninth minute and put up a resolute defensive display that looked like earning them a first Irish Cup since 1989.
They also had chances to extend their lead but couldn't find a second goal to kill off the game during the 90 minutes of normal time.
"We were certainly the dominant side, that's no doubt," Jeffrey added.
"When you are on top, it's important you take advantage of that, and the number of chances we had we should have had a second goal, but it wasn't to be. It's all ifs, ands and buts."
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