NEIL Young spoke of his pride after his gallant side bowed out of the FA Trophy in courageous fashion.

Chester FC’s run in non-league football's premier cup competition came to an end at higher-division Ebbsfleet United but Young was far from downhearted.

The Blues boss said: "I can’t knock my team at all – I thought they were outstanding from the first minute to the 93rd minute. We were always in the game and for long periods I don’t think you would’ve known who was the Conference side and who was the Northern Premier League side.

“Yes, we were naive at times but I must stress again at how proud I am of the lads.”

Ebbsfleet manager Liam Daish, whose team play two steps higher up the non-league ladder than Chester in the Blue Square Premier, also praised the visitors after the thrilling second-round tie.

Daish said: “It was a very tough game, which we always knew it was going to be, but overall I thought we deserved it as we got stronger as the game wore.”

Matty McGinn (hamstring), Jerome Wright (ankle) and Antoni Sarcevic (ribs) were injured in the match.

Young said the trio must be rated as doubtful for this Saturday's visit of title rivals Hednesford Town to the Exacta Stadium (3pm).