Jimmy Dack praises Hastings for Crawley Town’s cup defeat

He was not embarrassed by the result which meant a team of part-time players beat full-time professionals from the Football League, which is a gap of four divisions.

But he admitted he did not think his players performed up to expectations.

Dack said: “I wouldn’t say it was embarrassing no, that’s the wrong word to use. I think that’s disrepectful to Hastings.

“I thought Hastings played really well.

“We gave players an opportunity to get in the first XI and they gave it a go bit I don’t think they did well enough.

“We had all the possession but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. I thought Hastings played well Tuesday night, so credit to them and good luck in the next round.”

Dack believed not playing regular compeptitive football played a part in Reds’ downfall as it was comprised of players who are normally on the bench or left out of the squad.

“There was a lot of huffing and puffing and sometimes you’ve got to be a bit respectful to the fact they have not been playing regular games and it’s hard to just switch it on when they have to.

“We were very disappointed as a club. We don’t want to lose to anyone, whether it’s Hastings, Luton or whoever, but you do lose football matches, that’s just the nature of the beast.

“The boys got more than 90 minutes with the extra-time so that is a good thing for us but we are not happy about it at all and we move on to Saturday now.”

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