CORSHAM Town manager Kieran Baggs said “it was just not meant to be” for his side after the Quarrymen saw their incredible FA Vase adventure fall at the semi-final stage on Saturday.

Town drew 2-2 with competition favourites Ascot United at the Southbank after 90 minutes, but the hosts ended up going down 5-4 in the shoot-out.

The Quarrymen began brightly but were a goal behind at the break after Brendon Matthew scored when one-on-one midway through.

Baggs made a tactical change at half-time which saw Corsham throw the kitchen sink at Ascot, and it paid off as James Rusby and Sean Keet turned the game on its head.

But United – who have lost just twice in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North this term – hit back through Rob Gerrard late on to force penalties.

Once the shoot-out went to sudden death, Kane Simpson’s saved effort allowed Sean McCormick to send United to Wembley Stadium.

Post-match, Baggs said: “It’s gutting at the moment, but I’m trying to find positives to take.

“This campaign so far, we’ve done so well in it. It’s brought a lot of joy to people – me included. Sometimes it’s just not meant to be.”

A drama-filled penalty shoot-out was decided by two poor penalties from Corsham’s point of view – Ryan Bath hit the post before Simpson was denied by Rhys Forster.

Remarkably, Baggs admitted it was his decision to pick the takers and said the blame for defeat lay squarely on his shoulders.

The Corsham manager said: “Losing 1-0 at half-time, you make a tweak in formation, and you bring a substitute on and it changes the game.

“We ended up taking the lead, but they hit us with a bit of a sucker punch to make it 2-2. Then it’s the lottery of penalties.

“I picked the penalty takers. Today, I’ve got that wrong, so the buck stops with me. But you can’t take anything away form the players, it takes real guts and determination to take a penalty.

“I fancied something in the shoot-out, but it didn’t pay off. Once it gets to sudden death, we pick them as they come. I’ve selected the wrong one at the wrong time.

“Over the campaign, I’ve got a lot right, but that one I’ve obviously got wrong.”

Overall, Corsham’s boss was immensely proud of the whole club’s effort throughout this season so far and wished Ascot well in their date at Wembley.

Baggs said: “It's a campaign that we’ll remember for a long time.

“Credit to Ascot in everything they’ve already achieved and everything they’ll go onto achieve this season.

“They’re favourites in this competition, and we just couldn’t find that miracle that we needed. Unfortunately, our luck ran out.”