ADAM Murray feels ‘proud’ of his side’s performance after Kidderminster Harriers suffered a cruel penalty shootout defeat in the FA Trophy quarter-finals.
Harriers took National League side Wealdstone to a penalty shootout at Aggborough as the club’s Wembley dream came to an agonising end.
The Stones led through Sean Adarkwa’s early close-range volley before Ryley Reynolds drew Harriers level with a driven shot from the edge of the penalty area.
However, Owen Evans saw his tame effort saved by Wealdstone goalkeeper Dante Baptiste in the shootout after 11 successful penalties between the two teams.
And Murray heaped praise on his players for pushing Wealdstone’s all the way as the club’s FA Trophy journey came to a cruel end.
Murray said: “I thought we deserved to win the game, I thought we were the better team.
“The players were outstanding, it was a big performance.
“We made a team in the league above resort to just going long. We dealt with it and had the better of the play.
“When you get to penalties, it is what it is. It just wasn’t to be. I can’t ask for any more from the players.
“On another day we win the game in normal time. I’m more gutted than anything.
“When the dust settles, I’ll be really proud of the performance.”
Kidderminster beat two National League teams en route to the quarter-finals of the competition.
And Murray hopes the club can take their performances against teams from the division above, into their remaining league fixtures.
Murray added: “What I wanted out of this competition, I wanted the boys to show how good of a team they are.
“I’ve said it a number of times, I see it every day and, facing teams from the league above in this competition, gives them a platform to show what a good team they are.
“And we’ve done that. We’ve matched every team and probably bettered every team we’ve played in the league above.
“I’m just really pleased they’ve managed to show people what they can do.
“The big thing now is we carry that into the league. We just need to keep pushing performance levels.”
Kidderminster are next in action against Alfreton Town on Tuesday, March 3 with kick-off at 7.45pm at Aggborough.
