EAST Thurrock United manager John Coventry said his players were “a credit to the club” after tonight’s 1-0 Essex Senior Cup final defeat to Chelmsford City.

Chris Dickson scored the only goal in the dying embers of the first half as Rocks were narrowly defeated in the showpiece occasion at Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium.

But Coventry heaped praise on his team after their showing.

“I am a bit emotional but they have been a credit to the club,” he said. “I can ask no more. We just kept going and, having secured our league status, we could enjoy this.

“I have said Chelmsford are a good side all season and they are just that. They are a good side with good management.

“They had to change their system after 30 minutes as we were dominating and that is the biggest compliment they could pay us.

“We ran out of steam but we lost 1-0 against a possible promotion side.

“But you don’t stop playing football and we won’t in the final weeks of the season. They still want their money so they must perform.

“But I am gutted of course.”