EVERYONE associated with Highworth Town woke up with red eyes this morning, a cocktail of Newcastle’s cut-price alcohol and the tears of defeat.

Whether they drove the 300 miles south to Highworth straight after full-time or put off the slog until today, after an evening of drowning sorrows, the pain was all the same.

The Worthians’ Wembley dream is over. More than 100 supporters travelled with the players to North Shields on Saturday, but they fell at the final hurdle.

Hearts were in mouths at the tipping point of the match, when chairman Rohan Haines and his comrades hurled a wall of noise at the officials as the ball crossed the North Shields line.

At 0-0 on the day, Rohan is adamant the momentum would have been with the away side if the referee had given the goal.

“There was a bloke stood next to me from their lot who said it had gone over and TJ’s just told me the ref said it was only 70 per cent over and couldn’t give it,” he said.

As it was, the home side, backed by more than 1,300 of their own fans, scored two without reply to leave the Highworth end on its knees, slowly swallowed by the rising flood of tears.

“There were grown men crying, my brother and I included. It shows how much it means to us and how much those players mean to Highworth Town Football Club,” said Rohan.

“Me and Fraser (brother and secretary) were hugging each other and crying. It’s been such a journey.”

At the final whistle, Rohan walked out onto the pitch and among the cheering throngs of Geordies, he made sure he shook every opponent’s hand, wished them all the best and told them to win in Wembley on May 9.

It had been as near a perfect build-up as possible for the North Wiltshire side, who drove up on Friday, ate the right meals and slept the hours they needed.

“Every single one of the players has done our club proud. Them and the manager have been a credit to Highworth Town Football Club,” said the chairman.

“I want to thank everybody that supported us on this cup run. It got the town buzzing for a long, long time.

“It’s hard getting people up the club, but I have to thank everyone for supporting us, including the BBC and the Swindon Advertiser.

"I’m bitterly disappointed now, but I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.

“A Wembley final in May would have been perfect, but the commitment shown by John Fisher and this team has been superb.”

Revenue has run into the tens of thousands of pounds for Highworth on this FA Vase run, and the club committee must now spend it wisely and keep the club on the map.

Rohan said meetings with sponsors are already lined up in an effort to keep club riding this crest of a wave until next season, when they try to do it all over again.