Gary Hackett confident Stourbridge will bounce back

The Glassboys' dreams of reaching the third round of the competition for the first time in their history were ended by a 2-0 second-round defeat to Eastleigh on Saturday.

Hackett admitted the loss left his players 'gutted' but with an FA Trophy derby clash with Kidderminster to come this Saturday and Stour among the Evo-Stik Premier promotion favourites, the manager reckons there is still plenty to look forward to.

"We will get back into training tomorrow and take it from there," said Hackett. "We know we will be back in league action very soon but we have a massive FA Trophy game against Kidderminster next week. That is probably a good thing, we have a really big game to follow."

Saturday's defeat means Stour have now been knocked out in the second round in three of the last five seasons, though Hackett admitted this loss hurt more than those suffered against Stevenage in 2011 and 2013.

The Glassboys were well in the game and had chances to go ahead before second-half goals from James Constable and Josh Payne earned the visitors victory.

Yet Hackett believes there was plenty to be proud about, after a run which featured two wins over National League Premier opponents and saw the club featured on television when the BBC broadcast Football Focus from the War Memorial ground before Saturday's game.

"Clubs are desperate at our level to get near the first round let alone the second and we have managed to do it three times in five years – I don't think many can match that," continued Hackett.

"We wanted the chance to get into the third round and we were very, very close.

"They are a good set of lads and they are very determined. When you have setbacks it can make you even more determined."