BRIDGWATER Town co-manager Dave Pearse admitted he was “devastated” to go out of the Les Phillips Cup on penalties but paid tribute to how far the team have come.

Town lost 3-2 on spot-kicks in last Wednesday’s semi-final at Willand Rovers, having drawn 1-1 in normal time.

READ MORE: Penalty heartache for Town in cup semi-final

“The lads were brilliant throughout,” Pearse said.

“Jack Taylor scored an outrageous goal and we were looking good at 1-0.

“Their red card seemed to rejuvenate them and we didn’t react.

“No-one took the game by the scruff of the neck and we perhaps lacked a bit of experience.

“It comes down to fine margins.

“Little mistakes are costing us against the top teams but we have come on leaps and bounds over the past two years,” Pearse added.

“I think we are as good as the top three but I can pick out four or five games where we have dropped silly points, and that has cost us.”

One of those matches was the home fixture against Cribbs, who scored in the last minute to snatch a 1-1 draw at Fairfax Park back in November.

The reverse fixture takes place tonight (ko 7.45pm) and gives Town a chance to stretch their long unbeaten run in the league.

“Cribbs will be tough – they get it down and play on a nice surface so we will have to be ready for that,” Pearse said.

Then comes an Easter double header, with Wellington visiting for Town’s final home match of the season on Good Friday (1pm), before the Robins travel to Westbury United on Easter Monday (3pm).

Wellington have been a bogey side for Town in recent times, winning each of the last three meetings against a side containing plenty of former Tangerines.

One of those, Jack Taylor, will miss both Easter fixtures through suspension.

“We do owe Wellington one,” Pearse said.

“Our former Wellington players didn’t perform when we played down there earlier in the season so, hopefully, they can put that right this time.

“It’s our last home game so we want to give the supporters something to cheer.”