Kidderminster Harriers's Michael Gash rues missed chance at Sunderland

Gash almost levelled for Harriers just minutes after Charis Mavrias had put the Premier League side ahead in Saturday's fourth round tie at the Stadium of Light.

The 27-year-old striker pounced on a misplaced pass from Emanuele Giaccherini but was unable to beat keeper Oscar Ustari from close range.

It proved to be the Skrill Conference side's best chance of the game and Gash admitted the narrow margin of the 1-0 defeat made his frustration all the greater.

"It hurts me even more that we lost 1-0 because if I'd put that in we could be going away from here with a draw, all the headlines and taking them back to Aggborough where anything can happen," he said.

"It was a misplaced pass, I turned and I thought I hit it fairly well but just straight at him. It kind of went under him but didn't go through enough and he picked it up before it went over the line.

"In those positions as a forward, nine times out of ten you feel you should be putting it in the back of the net and unfortunately that one time the keeper has saved it."

Substitute Freddie Ladapo had Harriers other great chance late on but in truth the home side dominated as Andy Thorn's side were unable to reproduce their heroics from the third round win at Peterborough.

Despite the cup exit, Gash believes every player should take heart from the club's best run in the competition for 20 years.

"I think everyone can be proud of what they have done throughout the entire run," he said. "Subs, everyone, we have come to a great place in Sunderland, a great team with a great stadium.

"If my chance had gone in it might have been different, we might have been going back to Aggborough. Unfortunately we are not but I think every single lad in the changing room can be proud of themselves. Everyone has put in the effort."

Mavrias had put the Black Cats ahead in just the fifth minute after capitalising on a mistake from Harriers centre-back Josh Gowling, who said: "I'm disappointed in myself because the goal came from my clearance.

"We were solid but it doesn't count for anything when you do that. The ball got stuck under my feet and I tried to get over it but didn't quite get there.

"That is what happens when you play Premier League teams. Give them one chance and they score.

"We have to pick ourselves up now."