Bognor boss disappointed by FA Trophy exit - but says it was not total surprise

Skipper Harvey Whyte put Bognor ahead against the Isthmian north division hosts, who hit back with an equaliser and a 93rd-minute winner.

It means Bognor miss out on a home tie with Gloucester City on Saturday that would have kept their fixture list going amid the pause in league games.

Pearce pointed out Maldon’s recent cup record, which has involved two stunning FA Cup campaigns and Trophy victories over two other teams from Bognor’s level.

And Bognor’s build-up to the tie was not helped by accidents and traffic jams on the way that meant some in the Rocks camp took four hours to get to

Essex – with some having only 25 minutes between arrival and kick-off.

But Pearce admitted they gifted Maldon the late winner by giving away possession too easily.

“I had mixed feelings,” said Pearce. “Obviously you’re disappointed to lose to a side from a lower division in a competition you want to do well in, but there were factors behind it.

“It was a very good performance by us and on chances created, we slightly edged it, so to lose does hurt.

“But we’re conceding too many goals through elementary errors that we shouldn’t be making.

“In possession, we’re an attractive side but we need to work on how hard we work when we haven’t got the ball. And I’ll say again, we are still a very young team.”