Pride of the Midlands: Stourbridge fans herald valiant Glassboys after heartbreaking FA Cup defeat - PICTURES and VIDEO

Stourbridge may have been knocked out of the FA Cup but returned home to the Black Country with pride intact - and the reputation of players and fans massively enhanced.

Supporters set off for Wycombe for their Third Round match hoping to add to their recent giant-killing record.

As 12 coaches rolled out to start the 97-mile journey to Adams Park there was a sense of anticipation, expectation - and optimism.

Having dispatched Northampton in the previous round, the thinking went, why couldn't Stourbridge do it again.

It was clear this was no ordinary away day, with the presence of a Danish TV crew filming the fans on one of the coaches.

Not what usually happens on a trip to Buxton in the Northern Premier League.

But there is something special about the world's oldest cup competition.

MORE: Fan condemned for throwing flare during historic FA Cup tie

For fans like 77-year-old Ken Guest this was a match that was a lifetime in the making.

A Glassboys fan of 74 years standing, the pensioner has seen hundreds of players come through the club in his time supporting.

But he rates the current crop as one of the best he's seen and before the match he had fancied Gary Hackett's side to grab a 1-1 draw and take Wycombe back to the Black Country for a replay.

His prediction nearly came up trumps.

The Glassboys gave it a real go and were only outdone at the last by a thumping header by Chairboys' striker Adebayo Akinfenwa.

But this wasn't a day that was just about the result.

It was about the experience, the adventure, the story to tell the grandchildren.

About the day 2,000 fans of a Northern Premier League side took over a League Two ground.

The fans outsang their oppositions while the players outplayed theirs for much of the tie.

A cacophony of noise came from the massed ranks of away fans for nearly an hour before kick-off.

As the match got under way the Stourbridge fans continued to drown out their hosts.

All the noise was coming from the away end, with little in response from the surprisingly subdued home support.

The scenes in the Glassboys' end were nothing short of raucous leading up to the first whistle - with chants of "Stourbridge FC...from the Black Country" ringing around the ground.

For much of the first half a party atmosphere flowed from the Stourbridge supporters - particularly as they took the game to the home side.

Unfortunately the rowdy but otherwise impeccable behaviour was marred by a flare being thrown onto the pitch from the away end midway through the half.

An early goal at the start of the second period quietened the sea of Stour fans for a short time - but the reaction to the Glassboys' equaliser was deafening, and continued right up to the 90th minute and beyond.

Even Akinfewa's late winner for Wycombe did little to dampen the spirits of the Stourbridge fans.

The away end remained packed for 15 minutes after the final whistle as supporters paid tribute to the valiant Glassboys' players.

Mr Guest said afterwards: "They played very well and I think they deserved a draw.

"We're disappointed, but never mind."

Dudley Council leader Pete Lowe said: "It was absolutely fantastic. Stourbridge FC made the fans proud, the town proud and the Black Country proud.

"They have made history today. It was a fantastic occasion from start to finish.

"I thought the supporters were superb."

On a coach back to Stourbridge, caretaker Lee Bowater from Brierley Hill spoke of his pride at the performance.

The 36-year-old said: "They put on a good display and you couldn't tell which was the league side.

"Stourbridge should be very proud of themselves for what they did - they've put Stourbridge on the map.

"The fans were fabulous, magnificent and the atmosphere was brilliant.

"They did us proud - it was a valiant effort. I just hope they get promoted now."

Self-employed Rob Mead, 52, said the result was immaterial: "No matter what, it's been a great run again and amazing to see 2,000 people all go down and have a good day.

"Giving a good account of themselves was all that matters."

This was a case of 'so near, yet so far' for Stourbridge.

But the result aside, it was a day out that will live long in the memory for all those present.