STOCKTON TOWN manager Michael Dunwell vows that his men are hell-bent on being back at Wembley next season to avenge their FA Vase final defeat to Thatcham Town.

And the Anchors boss insists his players “couldn’t have given any more” on a day of frustration but pride at football HQ.

Thatcham took the lead in the first half through a Shane Cooper-Clark penalty and held on in the second half as Stockton searched desperately for an equaliser.

Dunwell said: “Our quality in the final third just wasn’t good enough, which isn’t normally us. That let us down I think.

“Credit to Thatcham, they had a game plan and they stuck to it. They got that goal in the first half and it took the wind out of us really. It took us until half time to regroup. Once we did, we had a good go second half.

“The lads couldn’t have given any more. We’re proud of what we’ve done. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved this season.

“Nobody ever thought we would get to the FA Vase final, especially after we were bottom of the league after three games, without a single point.

“Hopefully we can strengthen in pre-season and have another push and who knows, we might push for promotion next year and we might be here again.”