BILLERICAY Town did not enjoy the rub of the green as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Hereford, according to boss Dean Brennan.

Town made the long trip to Edgar Street looking to book their place in the second round of the FA Trophy.

And, although Ross Lafayette put Billericay on course for victory early on, the National League North side turned the clash on its head and Brennan admitted he was frustrated to be knocked out of the competition despite a promising performance.

Brennan said: “I thought we were the stronger team, but we didn’t win.

“It’s as simple as that and we let them back into the game by giving away a sloppy penalty after we had weathered the storm.

“I have no arguments with the penalty because it was a clear penalty.

“We dominated the second half but couldn’t score, whereas they had one attempt on target and they scored.

“You need the luck in cup competitions and we didn’t have that.

“Moses (Emmanuel) had a good chance to score, but didn’t take it, and you need the breaks if you want to go through.”

Brennan’s National League South high-flyers got off to the best possible start as Lafayette steered the ball home with just five minutes on the clock.

Emmanuel cleared a Hereford effort off the line as the hosts looked to get back into the game.

Hereford’s pressure told as Tom Owen-Evans converted a penalty conceded by Luke Rooney nine minutes before the break.

Emmanuel and Alfie Potter missed presentable opportunities after the interval, but George Lloyd slide the ball into the back of the net to seal a late win for the home side.

And Brennan’s side will now concentrate on earning promotion to the top tier of non-league football.

“Our main priority is the league,” added the Billericay boss.

“If you asked me whether I preferred to get through in the FA Trophy or win three points in the league, I’d rather the three points.

“The FA Trophy is a great distraction, but we must focus on winning promotion now.”

Billericay Town: Julian, Kizzi, Kennedy, Waldren, Rooney, Deering (Clifford 74), Lafayette (Hunte 63), Howells, Emmanuel, Potter, Aransibia