FC CLACTON assistant boss Mike Wallace felt his side grew into the game and were unlucky to lose 1-0 in Tuesday’s Essex Senior Cup defeat against Southend Manor.

Rhys Fatt scored the only goal just before half-time, to settle a hard-fought second-round tie at the Rush Green Bowl.

“Southend Manor had a lot of energy and attacked us from the off, which we didn’t deal with very well in the first half,” said Wallace.

“They had a game plan, stuck to it and executed it well.

“We tried to press them back but didn’t play to the best of our ability.

“We made a slow start and were a bit naïve, in terms of dealing with their tactics.

“We grew into the game, though, and created so many chances in the second half.

“However, it was just one of those games where we might have played for another hour and not scored.

“Decisions went against us, we hit the bar and their keeper made some saves.

“However hard we tried, we just weren’t going to score.”

Clacton’s best first-half efforts came from Kevin Coyle – once from a low free-kick that was well-saved and once with an effort that flashed just wide – while Charlie Thompson saw a goal-bound shot deflected over the Manor bar.

Southend nearly doubled their lead early in the second half, having an effort cleared off the line, while keeper Luke Avenell made a fantastic double save for the Seasiders.

At the other end, substitutes Jake Plane and Terry Rymer both tested Southend shot-stopper Liam Pitts.

Plane’s clever effort in the closing seconds came back off the bar and Coyle had a goal controversially ruled out for a foul on Pitts.

Clacton also felt they should have had a penalty for a foul on Harry McDonald.

However, it was not to be and the visitors held onto their lead to advance into the third round.

Wallace was disappointed with the performance of referee Chris Horsman.

Clacton were left fuming after Coyle’s goal was ruled out and felt adamant they should have been awarded a penalty for the foul on McDonald.

“Personally, I thought the referee had a poor game and afterwards he couldn’t explain why the goal was disallowed or we weren’t given a penalty,” said Wallace, who runs the side with manager Kieron Shelley.

“It was very frustrating and while I’d never use it as an excuse, we just don’t seem to get the rub of the green when it comes to decisions, especially at home.

“That’s football, though.”

In marked contrast, Saturday proved a memorable day for the Seasiders as Rymer’s winner secured a 1-0 success at Long Melford.

The striker stepped off the bench to notch with seven minutes remaining.

“It was a big win,” said Clacton boss Kieron Shelley.

“It was a frustrating performance but we ground the result out.”

Luke Watts and McDonald both made their full debuts for the club.

Clacton’s reserves were defeated 4-2 at home to Brightlingsea Regent Reserves, on Saturday.

Markel Greenidge was the scorer of both their goals.