Mixed feelings for Cray boss Tim O’Shea after heartbreaking FA Cup defeat

Cray Wanderers manager Tim O’Shea had mixed feelings after his side threatened a huge shock against Stockport in the first round of the FA Cup before eventually losing after extra time.

London’s oldest football club, who play in the Isthmian Premier, were making their debut in the competition proper and led 2-0 against a team 112 league places above them.

The League One side’s quality finally told, and O’Shea said: “There’s a tinge of disappointment because we’re in dreamland at half-time. I don’t think anyone could begrudge us going in two to the good.

“But Jimmy’s (McNulty) side, they’re used to winning, aren’t they? And they just keep coming and they had 10 men, so fair play to them. They just kept believing.

“I think the physicality takes its toll, even though they’re down to 10 because they’re training every day.

“We nicked the ball in midfield areas and were then able to transition into half-chances. We certainly pushed them.”

After Sammie MacLeod put Cray ahead, Stockport had goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond sent off for taking out John Ujuah, with Alex Hernandez sending the resulting free-kick into the top corner.

However, late goals from Kyle Wootton and Mikael Mandron sent a gripping tie into extra time, in which Lewis Fiorini’s penalty was decisive.

Stockport boss McNulty said: “This is what the FA Cup’s about, isn’t it? We certainly didn’t want to be on the end of an upset, and we almost were.

“Credit to Cray, by the way – the free-kick for the second goal, the double-whammy red card, free-kick, that does feel like one of those moments where you’re concerned about the footballing Gods.

“We didn’t hope to have to do it from the position we were in or be down to 10 men, but I thought we were very brave.”