When the draw for the last 16 of the FA Vase was made last Monday, it was a case of what might have been for Thackley.

Their conquerors in the previous round were handed a home tie against Crook Town.

"They are probably the lowest-ranked club left in the competition, and with home advantage it must be seen as a good chance to progress," said Thackley manager John Boyle.

"No disrespect to Crook Town but they are mid to low-table in the second tier of the Northern League.

"I would think the only fear Arnold Town have of not reaching the quarter-finals is one of becoming over-confident."

Thackley were knocked out by NCE Premier Division rivals Arnold by the odd goal at Dennyfield last Saturday.

Boyle and his skipper Craig Sugden share the same single regret - that they went out tamely.

"I'm still very disappointed at the way we played," said Boyle.

"On our day we could have won. If both clubs played to their best, I think we would have beaten Arnold but it's all water under the bridge now.

"Just because we reached the last 32 two seasons on the trot doesn't mean it will happen automatically next year.

"It could be a long time, if ever, that these players have the same chance to go even further."

Sugden said the players had talked about the defeat and agreed with their boss.

"We just didn't play anywhere near our full potential," said the club captain.

"In the weeks leading up to the Vase game we had been playing some really good stuff, getting the ball down and passing it about well.

"The lads are all distraught. They feel they have let themselves down and the club.

Sugden added: "We have a good record in the competition over the past couple of years but these opportunities usually don't come around too often.

"If we had turned it on, the game was there to win but as it turned out Arnold edged it and just about deserved to go through."