Boss Gill left 'heartbroken' as Bath City exit National South play-offs

Bath City boss Jerry Gill hailed the togetherness of his players despite their “heartbreaking” play-off defeat at Braintree Town.

In the first of their National South play-off eliminators, the Romans fell to a dramatic 1-0 defeat at Cressing Road.

Braintree’s Tom Blackwell grabbed the winner in the 118^th minute, after the game was sent to extra-time following a goalless 90 minutes.

The result means the Romans will remain in the same division next season.

Speaking to the club’s official YouTube channel, Gill said: “It’s gut-wrenching, absolutely gut-wrenching.

“First and foremost, we asked the boys to leave everything out there, don’t have any regrets. These are like cup ties.”

He added: “I’m heartbroken for the football club. That’s three times I thought we could get over the hurdle. I fancied us here – it’s a tough place to come.

“People need to remember we’re part-time, we’ve worked this morning and left to come up here. No excuse.

“Two part-time teams going at it. Whoever has watched it, I thought it was a stereotypical play-off game, both teams left everything out there and we got unlucky.

“We didn’t deserve to concede. It’s the most heartbreaking way to concede a goal late at the death like that.

“I’ve got to say credit to my players. The group have been immense all season. I’m proud as punch of them.

“They’ve showed a real togetherness, you’ve seen it in abundance and they are gutted. We will have to go again.”

(Picture: Bath City FC Youtube Channel)