NEIL Baker insists that Slough Town did not disgrace themselves in the 4-0 FA Cup second round defeat to Rochdale on Tuesday.

Baker was pleased with how long The Rebels were able to stay in the game at Arbour Park until two late goals flattered League One Rochdale.

He always believed Slough could cause an upset having, stunned Gainsborough Trinity of National League North in round one.

But Rebels' joint-manager accepted it was a night of near misses and ultimate frustration for his players in the end.

He told the Observer: “We had a real go and were always in with a chance and maybe on another day we score a goal or two.

Slough Observer:

The cameras follow Jon Underwood and Neil Baker.

“We started well for five or 10 minutes but then conceded a poor goal from our point of view. The lad has got across our defence and ended up with a tap-in, so we’re disappointed with that.

“Probably for the next 15 minutes we were a little bit wary and showed them a bit too much respect, but leading into half time we started to get on the ball and play a bit more.

“We created a few chances and one of our corner routines has worked. It was cleared, but it was a chance.

“Then Lee Togwell had a chance just before half time. If he scores we go in 1-1 and you’re absolutely delighted, but we were really pleased with how long we stayed in the game.”

Baker continued: “We told the boys you’ve got to stay in this type of game against full-time opposition and four leagues above us. We had to show them respect.

“We’re vocal in terms of the belief that we have in our players and we felt that we could have caused an upset. If things had gone slightly differently then we might have done. We were still pushing and got picked off at the very end but you can’t be to disappointed with that.

“We had a few chances and had any of them gone in then it’s a completely different game.

“The belief around the place would have increased and we might have got something from it, but it wasn’t to be.

Slough Observer:

Slough players applaud the fans at the final whistle.

“It was just a nearly night and that’s not the worst thing in the world. We have not disgraced ourselves, we’ve had a real go.

“We’ve worked hard and Rochdale would have thought that they were in a game.”

He added: “Steve Easterbrook, John Porter, Kay Lathey and Mike Lightfoot are four people in particular, there are lots of other volunteers, but those four have worked their absolute socks off to get this game on.

“There’s a lot that goes into it and they’ve done a magnificent job. It has gone off without any hitches and for that I’m really pleased.”

Slough return to action in the Southern Premier Division when Bishops Stortford make the journey to Arbour Park this Saturday (3pm), before The Rebels head to Hitchin Town next Monday (7.45pm).