Slough Town FC: Nathan Smart admits 'quality wasn't there' against Rochdale in FA Cup defeat

Smart was unfortunate not to score in the second round tie when his shot came back off the post in the second half at Arbour Park.

The defender believes The Rebels held their own against League One Rochdale, but admits his side were not at their very best in midweek.

Smart told the Observer: “It’s disappointing but we did alright.

“The early goal hurt us a little bit, but in the last 15 minutes of the first half we re-grouped and went in at half time still in the game.

“We came out quite positive in the second half and were still in the game until the free-kick. When it goes to 2-0 it makes it a but more difficult.

“The two goals at the end were a bit harsh. I don’t think it was a 4-0 game to be honest. We held our own but it was just not our night really.

“I just do not think we quite had enough. The quality wasn’t quite there or near the levels that we’ve previously set.

“It’s one of those games where they’re four leagues above so you’ve got to take your chances. We had a few but didn’t take them.

Slough Town had their chances against Rochdale.

“In the second half we just had to go out there and do the same thing, stay in the game and if we get chances take them. A few chances came but we didn’t take them and it just summed up our game really.

“We just didn’t have the rub of the green and the quality was not quite there.

“We had chances that could have gone either way but we didn’t quite get the rub of the green.”

He continued: “We can take a lot of pride out of our FA Cup run. We’ve beaten a team from the league above comfortably in the round before.

“We went into the Rochdale match confident that we could get something out of it but I just think we didn’t quite have it on the night.

“But, we can take a lot out of the game and we can be proud of what we’ve done.”

Smart added: “We’re back to the bread and butter of the league on Saturday and that is what’s important.”