Sevenoaks Town manager Harry Hudson reacts to FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round defeat to Ebbsfleet United

Sevenoaks Town boss Harry Hudson was proud of his team on Saturday - but left wondering what might have been.

The Isthmian South East side gave an incredible performance against full-time Ebbsfleet, only for two second-half goals to end the club’s best-ever FA Cup run at the Fourth Qualifying Round stage.

“I am proud because of the performance that we showed but it feels like we could have caused a huge upset and we didn’t, which is obviously disappointing,” said Hudson.

“The club has done themselves proud and that’s really important. Ebbsfleet knew they were in for a game.”

Sevenoaks could have easily been ahead by half-time. Ebbsfleet keeper Mark Cousins had to produce an outstanding one-handed save to deny substitute Freddie Parker and opener.

And when the visitors did have the ball in the net, via skipper Corey Holder’s header, the offside flag came to Ebbsfleet’s rescue.

“By half-time I think we had the better opportunities to score,” said Hudson. “I know they hit the underside of the bar from outside the box but the goalie has made an unbelievable save.

“I thought that was in, and then when the header went in I didn’t even think to look for the linesman’s flag. I hope it is offside because it if isn’t I’ll be devastated.

“We had another one-on-one opportunity and I felt we were getting opportunities against them and they were giving them to us because of the way they play.

“They could argue they keep plugging away and stuff will open up, but the goal was not a fantastic pattern, it was a ricochet that’s gone straight into the path of their player. The most important thing for us was to be structured, organised, give a good account of ourselves and to look a threat, and I think we ticked all those boxes.”

Hudson