SAM Wilson couldn’t conceal his devastation following Salisbury FC’s FA Vase semi-final defeat against Hereford FC.

In common with his manager Steve Claridge, Whites’ striker Wilson considered Mike Symons’ equalising goal just before half time at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium to be the pivotal moment of a furiously contested tie.

The visiting striker’s volleyed finish re-established the Bulls’ lead over the two legs, after Steve Walker had earlier put the hosts ahead on the day, writes Paul McNamara.

“It’s gut-wrenching losing like that,” said former Eastleigh and Winchester City player Wilson. “After dominating the first half, to go on and lose is heartbreaking.

“They got their goal and a few heads did go down. But they are a good team and over the two legs they deserved it. So I can’t really complain.”

Joe Tumelty came off the bench to hammer home the goal that confirmed Hereford’s progress to Wembley, in front of a pulsing 3,450 Ray Mac crowd.

The first-leg at Edgar Street was watched by 4,683 people – but a visibly distraught Wilson garnered little solace from the experience of performing to two packed grounds.

He said: “It’s what every footballer wants to do. But we couldn’t get the result. That was the main thing, rather than playing in front of the crowds. “I’d have traded that to have ten people watching and win the game. It wasn’t meant to be though.”

While he admitted that it would take some time to banish the regret of missing out on a Wembley final, Wilson insists that his team will be fully concentrated on the job in hand when Salisbury resume Sydenhams Wessex League action at Alresford Town tomorrow (Tuesday) night.

“We will be professional and carry on the season,” Wilson insisted. “There’s nothing we can do about this now.

“Everyone has just tried to get their heads around it and focus on what we do next. We have to think about Tuesday. That’s the most important thing now, to get the league sewn up.”

On a personal note, Wilson, his team’s top scorer this season with 32 goals, is delighted to have settled at the Ray Mac, following a series of moves since leaving the Silverlake Stadium in March 2014.

He said: “I do feel like I’ve found a home at Salisbury. The gaffer has given me a chance to play and hopefully I’ve been rewarding him. I am really enjoying it here.”