MOORS boss Tim Flowers had no complaints after his side exited the FA Trophy at the hands of AFC Telford in a 2-1 defeat on Saturday.
Solihull were denied a chance to advance to the semi-finals after Daniel Udoh’s 89th minute winner was almost nullified by Adi Yussuf’s penalty – which was missed in the tenth minute of stoppage time.
Amari Morgan-Smith had given the visitors a 25th minute lead, until Jamey Osborne’s leveller mid-way through the second half set up for the dramatic finale.
Flowers admitted his side were below-par and did not deserve to get a replay had Yussuf put away the spot kick.
“I didn’t think we did anywhere near enough to win the game, if I’m honest.
“Somehow we got our way back into the game – they could’ve got another couple.
“All-in-all I haven’t got any complaints. If we’d have scored the penalty and got the draw out of it, I think we’d have got out of jail free.
“For the first time really this season I’d have to say that we weren’t really good enough today.
He accepted that the rest of the campaign was now a “12-game season”, as Solihull turn all attentions to the National League and their bid to gain promotion to the Football League.
Moors threatened in the early stages with Matt Stenson at the forefront of their chances, first putting over the bar from a Kyle Storer flick then sending wide from Osborne’s long throw.
Liam Daly then had a couple of chances when making a trademark run and header at goal, sending his effort over from Darren Carter’s freekick; before knocking down another set-piece – to no avail.
Stephen Morley played a hand in the opener for Telford moments after clearing the crossbar with a chance of his own.
It was his cross that picked out Morgan-Smith, who, after getting in between the pairing of Daly and Alex Gudger, flicked his header into the corner.
Solihull responded well and almost levelled immediately through Storer, whilst Osborne’s drive at goal was cleared off the line.
Moors continued to battle away for an equaliser, Jermaine Hylton was inches away from meeting Nathan Blissett’s drilled ball before swiping at a Storer cross.
It was clear it would take something special for the hosts to level, and so they did when Osborne rifled a dipping shot past Andy Wycherley.
Osborne almost overturned the scores single-handedly when his shot went just wide of the upright, moments before Blissett missed a sitter on the rebound from another Osborne long-ranger.
A mistake from goalkeeper Ryan Boot – who horribly mis-kicked a long ball into the path of Udoh, would cost Moors dearly.
He swept away into the back of an empty net amid scenes of jubilation for the Telford supporters.
Even when going behind late on, Moors continued to fight, George Carline slid the ball the wrong side of the post before the hosts were handed a lifeline.
Terry Hawkridge laid the ball into the path of Carter, who’s strike was handled inside the box – the referee pointing straight to the spot and red carding Brendon Daniels for his protests.
Yussuf stuttered in his run up to the kick, and put it low towards the bottom-left corner, but with enough pace for Wycherley to touch the ball wide of the post to send Moors out.
Though dreams of Wembley have ended, the club turn their heads towards the National League run-in, currently sitting second behind Wrexham by two points and with a game in hand.
They look to get over their FA Trophy hangover when hosting Maidstone United on Saturday (5:30pm).
