Stafford boss on the brink
Stafford Rangers boss Chris Brindley is considering his Marston Road future after his side's shock 3-2 FA Cup defeat at home to minnows Coventry Sphinx.
Victory in the second qualifying round replay would have netted Boro nearly £5,000 in prize money and a draw at home to Southern League outfit Bedworth United.
Instead it was Sphinx from the Midland Football Alliance – three leagues below Stafford – who were celebrating a windfall at full time.
"I've put a lot of time in here to walk away on a Cup result but I feel very low at the moment," Brindley admitted.
"I'll sit down with the people in charge and see where we go.
"We'll see what the next couple of days brings.
"We have worked hard over a period of time and with a good draw in the next round, that was a great chance to earn £10,000 or £12,000.
"I feel as though I've let everyone down. The club is still in a bad way and this was a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
"It was my responsibility to get them through a couple of rounds.
"We've had a winnable tie and had two chances at it but we've still not been good enough.
"Cup games put too much pressure on managers and a lot depart after those matches. I'm not a quitter but I've got to go away and think about what I'm going to do."
Second half goals from Fabrice Kasiama and Tom Thorley, the second from the penalty spot, were not enough for Stafford who also had on loan defender Jermaine Johnson sent off in injury time.
Brindley added: "We locked them in after the game on Saturday and expected a reaction so what more can you do. At the end of the day, the buck stops with me and I take the responsibility."
