Despite his FA Vase disappointment, Sutton Common Rovers boss Darren Salmon could not be more proud of his players.

Rovers’ Vase exploits came to an end on Saturday in the fourth round after a 3-0 defeat at Bowers & Pitsea.

And while Salmon has misgivings about not kicking up a fuss over the state of the playing surface, he would not allow that to detract from the team’s achievements.

He said: “I am immensely proud of what the lads have achieved this year, we have never been past the past round, so to be within grasping distance of a fifth round place was incredible.

“Going forward we have learnt a lot about the competition – some of the taboos such as believing teams from other leagues are far better than you.

“We have also earned a later start in next season’s competition, so we will miss the qualifying rounds and the risk of being knocked out while we’re still trying to find ourselves in the season.”

He added: “I think there was something like 530 clubs that entered the competition and we’ve exited in about 21st place. I’ll take that.”

Rovers now turn their attention back to action in the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League with the visit to Gander Green Lane of Bedfont Sports.

“The league has always been our bread and butter – we’ve never lost sight of the fact that getting as high up the league is the priority although sometimes it is difficult not to get carried away with the Vase,” he said.

“Now we have 18 games left, and our next objective is to finish higher than eighth, our highest ever placing.

“That is the aim, to supersede that and push it as far as we can, and with 18 games to go, it is in our hands.”