North Knows The Stones Must Go In One Direction Now

The Stones went down to a justified 2-0 home loss to Brackley in the second leg on Saturday, a result which took the Saints to Wembley.

For long serving number one North, it acted as an unwelcome reminder.

He was part of the Wealdstone squad who lost to Newport County, the eventual winners, at this stage in 2012.

But for the cut-up keeper this one was even more difficult to take. Though he thinks moods will improve if they can beat Eastbourne Borough tonight and turn a negative into a positive.

Ten points behind but with games in hand, a late season run hasn’t been ruled out.

“It’s heartbreaking,” the popular goalkeeper said. “Everyone is truly gutted. We know how much the fans wanted Wembley but nobody wanted it more than us as a group.

“Over the two legs we can’t have any complaints really. They were stronger and congratulations to them but if doesn’t make it any easier for us.

“It doesn’t get easier, it gets worse. We can close five years ago but this time you almost wish you got knocked out in the first round.

“Its a horrible feeling but over time you maybe remember you have played some good games but now it’s just so hard to take.”

Tonight they face Eastbourne in a game they must win to have any genuine hope of gate-crashing the top seven.

“We’re still just about in there and there is always that one side who put on a great run towards the back end of the season,” North added.

“Nothing will make up for losing another semi-final but a win on Monday and we may just get a second wind. We need to refocus.”

PICTURE BY ALAN PALMER