Cray Valley manager Steve McKimm reacts to 4-3 extra-time Isthmian Premier play-off semi-final defeat to Dartford

Proud Cray Valley manager Steve McKimm was still a class act after their heartbreaking defeat on Wednesday.

The Millers were just seconds away from Monday’s Isthmian Premier play-off final before conceding a stoppage-time equaliser.

But they fought to the very end and bowed out 4-3 after extra-time, despite playing the final 50 minutes of an enthralling contest with 10 men.

“You've got to take the rough with the smooth,” said a gracious McKimm.

“I felt we were comfortable and in control at 2-0, we'd done everything in the game that we wanted to do, and nullified their threats.

“They had a couple of scary moments, but we ended up scoring two good set-pieces.

“I can't comment here until I watch it back, we have a player sent off and they get a penalty. But the 10 men were fantastic, and they put a lot of pressure on.

“We rode our luck on a couple of occasions, but then it was 96th minute, they get the free-kick, it hits someone and skids up over the keeper, and nestles in, like in slow motion.

“I’m disappointed and gutted. No one likes to lose football matches, and a game of this magnitude, it does hurt you.

“It hurts players, I'd say more, because they're the ones that put their bodies on the line and tackle and head and run.

“It's horrible. But can I be downbeat? No, of course I can't. I've stopped doing that. I've stopped beating myself up.

“When I'm wrong, I admit it. When I'm right, I don't take the plaudits. It's down to the players.”

McKimm admitted the red card for Crossley Lema and the subsequent penalty was the turning point in the game.

Cray were in control at 2-0 up midway through the second half when Lema appeared to strike out at Callum Jones off the ball. The incident was spotted by the assistant referee.

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