FC CLACTON manager Kieron Shelley felt his spirited side gave a clear indication of their progress in Saturday’s FA Vase defeat against Coggeshall Town.

The depleted Seasiders made their opponents - who went into the first qualifying round tie with six wins out of eight Thurlow Nunn League matches - sweat before extra-time goals from Nnamdi Nwachuku sealed a 2-0 victory.

And while bitterly disappointment to see his players’ efforts go unrewarded, Shelley still felt it was a great and heartening afternoon at the Rush Green Bowl.

“We might have lost but even so, it was a fantastic day for our club,” he told the Gazette.

“We had more than a dozen players missing – key men and starters like Tom Austin, Jake Hearn, Jake Plane, Billy Wales, Terry Rymer and Michael Runicles.

“In terms of selection, we had our backs against the wall.

“But we told the boys coming into the squad that the door was open and that they should take their chance. They did just that.

“The whole team dug in and it really was a fantastic performance.

“It proves how important squad depth is.

“In the past, the club would have had to draft in reserve players who weren’t good enough but we’ve now got a group of local lads who are prepared to give everything and play for the badge.

“Coggeshall are a team with everything.

“They have so much quality but they soon realised they were coming up against a brick wall and had to change their tactics.

“The sad thing is that we haven’t got anything to show for it.

“We lost the game and are out of the Vase.

“However, it was just so heartening. There was another big crowd and hopefully those people will have gone home feeling the same way.”

Clacton return to Thurlow Nunn League action this weekend with a trip across the Suffolk border to Long Melford (3pm).

After that they entertain Southend Manor in an Essex Senior Cup second-round tie at the Bowl on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Shelley, who handed first senior starts to 18-year-olds Ben Justice and Zach Smith-Walter, believes his side can go into both matches feeling confident and upbeat thanks to their gutsy efforts against Coggeshall.

“We’re a club that want to push ourselves and climb the ladder,” he said.

“In order to do that, we know we need to challenge the top sides and, although we lost, we certainly made Coggeshall sweat.

“Our reprieve (from relegation) got a few people’s backs up last season but we want everyone to see that we deserve to be a premier division side.

“We’ve really improved and come on no end.”

Clacton’s reserves were defeated 3-1 at Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves on Saturday afternoon. Steve Bruff scored their goal.

The club’s veterans opened their campaign with a 5-1 win over Halstead Town.

Sean Hillier and Colin Brading both scored twice, with the other goal coming from Paul Hillier.