DEFEATED AFC Sudbury skipper Chris Tracey cut a forlorn figure as he stood propped against the players' tunnel, puffing on a cigarette and pondering on what might have been.

For the second year running the Suffolk side had sampled the bitter taste of defeat, following up last year's 2-1 disappointment at the hands of Brigg Town with a 2-0 defeat by Hampshire heroes Winchester City.

"We keep turning up for finals and it doesn't go our way," shrugged the rocklike defender. "Winchester were sharp out of the blocks in the first half and it took us half and hour or so to get our passing game together. The penalty and the sending off killed us, but even with ten men we were still well in the game.

"It's bitterly disappointing to have lost again - but at least it was a good game of football. It wasn't like the ball was up in the air all the time.

"Last year we were outfought and outmuscled by Brigg and played no football whatsoever. This year we can hold our heads high. It was a great advert for nonLeague football."

Sudbury manager Gary Harvey rued: "We came out very, very slowly, but I can't put my finger on why.

"In the first 20 minutes we were lucky to get away with conceding just one goal.

"In the second half we were fine but the penalty came at the wrong time for us and getting a player sent off made it an uphill battle. It was a penalty, I've no complaints about that, but it was a bit harsh to send the lad off. Still, they're the rules and we have to live with it.

"I really feel for the boys. Our preparation was good, we couldn't have done more.

"The only pleasing thing is that it wasn't a bad game of football."