THURROCK manager Mark Stimson remained upbeat after tonight’s play-off semi-final defeat to AFC Hornchurch, and says the challenge will now be keeping hold of his star names ahead of next season.

Stimson watched his team lose 2-0 to the Urchins, as first half goals from George Purcell and Junior Luke proved enough to condemn Fleet to another year of Ryman One North football.

But Stimson has backed his players to come back stronger, having been beaten in the play-off final last season.

“Obviously it is hugely disappointing,” he said. “The referee gave them an early penalty for handball against Lewis Clark and I couldn’t tell from where I was if it was a penalty or not. Perhaps he could have cleared it with his head but he felt it was a penalty.

"Then we had a shot which hit the underside of the bar and a few people have said they thought it went in. Maybe we didn’t get the rub of the green but Hornchurch are a good side and I hope they win it now.

“They scored a very good second goal from their perspective but it was embarrassing from our side the way their player just walked through the defence to score.

“But I couldn’t have asked for any more from the players. Working with this group is a pleasure and they are the most honest bunch of men you could wish to work with.

“The hard bit will be keeping hold of them as there are some very good players in that dressing room but we will do our best, add a few, and then come back next season hoping to build on the second-placed finish this year.”