Boss Rob Smith insists AFC Telford United will not wallow in their Blue Square North play-off disappointment, declaring: “We’ll be even stronger next season.”The Bucks lost 2-0 at home to Barrow yesterday afternoon to complete a 4-0 aggregate defeat in their big semi-final clash.

That has ended their dreams of promotion to the top tier of non-League football, but Smith insists they can still be proud after a campaign that saw them finish as runners-up to champions Kettering.

“We finished second so we’re not a million miles away,” said Smith.

“We came in this season aiming for midtable – next year we’ll be going for the play-offs and anything less than that will be a failure.

“We’ll learn from this experience. I keep trying to tell people, this side is very new and we’re only going to get better. If I can add a couple of quality players, which I hope to do, then we will be ready.

“I’m happy with the nucleus of the side. We strengthened last summer and look how well we’ve done, but we won’t rest on our laurels.

“Our finances are tight but we’ll do everything we can. Those Barrow fans have got a final to go to, and maybe we can have that next season.”

Barrow now go on to face Stalybridge Celtic in Friday’s final at Burton, the Manchester side having come from behind to draw 2-2 on aggregate with Southport before going through on penalties.

The sporting Telford fans gave the Barrow players a standing ovation at the final whistle, and Smith accepts the best team won.

“I can’t ask for any more because the lads gave it all they’ve got,” added the Bucks boss, who had to watch the game from the ‘no-man’s land’ between the two sets of supporters as he continues to serve a six-game touchline ban.

“We weren’t good enough at the end of the day and our four results against Barrow don’t lie (Telford have lost all four, scoring none and conceding 10).

“I think they’re the best team in the league at the moment, I really do – and that includes Kettering (who finished 17 points clear at the top).

“We’ve been unlucky that we’ve caught them at this time, but we’ve had a great year and maybe it will be our turn next season.

“Things didn’t go for us at all, one hit the bar and could have dropped anywhere but it didn’t go in. But they deserved it and I wish them the best of luck in the final.”

Telford complete their season with the annual presentation evening on Saturday. Smith will wait until after that event to release his retained list.

By Chris Hudson