SMALL moments of quality made the difference in Littlehampton Town's FA Vase defeat at Wembley.

The Buckinghamshire side scored a lovely goal in the first half thanks to Kieran Barnes, before adding two more in the second to come out 3-0 victors.

Littlehampton Town had a fine season in all competitions but were not able to make the final push by winning the FA Vase Final.

Manager Mitchell Hand spoke about the "fine margins" which made the game an uphill battle for the Marigolds.

The Argus: Lucas Pattenden on the ball. Picture from PALucas Pattenden on the ball. Picture from PA

But he also admitted there were elements to their game which could have been better.

Hand told the Argus: “At 1-0 I think we had a chance but they went up the other end and scored again which sucked the life out of the game.

“It’s small moments of quality, the first goal was unbelievable. It was one of the best goals I have seen in a long time.

The Argus: Kieran Barnes scores the opener on the half volley. Picture from PAKieran Barnes scores the opener on the half volley. Picture from PA

“If you can score a worldie from 30 yards then there is not a lot you can do about it.

“There is plenty of things we could have done better, we know that. We will work on that, but in terms of the game itself, we don’t have too many complaints. We were beaten by the better side.”

Hand also said the head injury to George Gaskin "shocked" a lot of the players, as well as himself on the sideline.

The Marigolds are the first team in Sussex history to play in an FA Vase final. Hand reiterated to his players that despite the defeat, they are among the “one per cent of non-league players who get a chance to play at Wembley.”

The Argus: Marigolds players applaud their fans at the end. Picture from PAMarigolds players applaud their fans at the end. Picture from PA

He added: “We had some players that really played within themselves who have been amazing all season. We have a lot of young lads in our team as well, even the older lads, you’re experiencing this for the first time.

“None of them have had an occasion close to this. I think the occasion got the better of us slightly, I would also put it down to their good play. I thought Newport set up really well. They starved us of any service to our dangerous players.

“I would give credit to Newport Pagnell Town, they were brilliant on the day and well worth the win.”