BRADFORD Town boss Paul Shanley says his players can still hold their heads high after their heartbreaking Wilshire Senior Cup Final defeat, writes CARL FIELD.

Shanley’s side, who have already lifted the Toolstation Division One title this season, were forced to watch on as Melksham paraded the trophy after a dramatic penalty shootout.

It also denied Bradford a league and cup double, but Shanley wasn’t too downbeat.

He said: “We said to the players afterwards that we’ve had a fantastic season and that they’ve done the club proud tonight and over the season.

“Our target now is to pick up two results from our final two league fixtures, which would see us bring up 100 points and really finish the season in style.”

Despite completely dominating the first period and leading twice in the game through Dan King, Shanley admitted that failing to kill off Melksham when the chances came ultimately cost them.

He said: “I thought we dominated the first 90 minutes but we never took our chances, particularly in the first half.

“I just felt we needed that second at half time and, if we’d got that, it would have put us firmly in the driving seat. I definitely felt we could have been two or three to the good.

“From our point of view we gave away two really soft goals in that second period, which was disappointing.

“But all in all it was a fantastic advert for Wiltshire football and would have been fitting for any cup final.”