DEVIZES TOWN: NICK Mooney was left to rue the one that got away after coming within inches of giving Devizes the lead in their FA Vase quarter final on Saturday 1 March.

The long-serving wing-back, 29, hit the Maldon crossbar after latching onto a pass from Paul Hunt in the 14th minute, but the visitors broke the deadlock soon afterwards and rarely looked like letting their lead slip. Said Mooney: "I thought the ball had dipped in at first, but unfortunately it came back off the bar and the keeper got to it.

"If that had gone in then it would have lifted us. The first goal was really important and they got it through a good header, although it was also down to bit of sloppy defending."

Mooney was disappointed with his side's display and, like his manager, felt Maldon had shown a greater will to win.

He said: "They wanted it a little bit more than us. They were first to every tackle, header and second ball.

"We were slow out of the gates and it took us 20 minutes to get going. Once their first goal went in, we were chasing the game from then on.

"Once we went a goal down, we started playing a bit and did okay for the last 20 minutes of the first half. But they defended well and we didn't."

The tie attracted a gate more than ten times the size usually seen at Nursteed Road, and Mooney was pleased to see so many local people turn up to support the club.

He said: "It was a very good turn out, especially with the rain we had. Fair play to them for turning up and hopefully they'll come back for the league matches."

Mooney is not expecting a mass exodus of Devizes' best players with their involvement in the Vase now over for another season. He said: "I think we still have a good team spirit. Chris Copp went to Supermarine last week, but I don't think anyone else is thinking about going.

"We have just got to stick together now and make sure this club is still in the Screwfix Premier Division next year."