Bulls manager Matt Chatfield said his team should be proud of themselves after bowing out of the Emirates FA Cup at the hands of Southern League Central Premier Division side Barwell.
Ross Duggan scored his 14th goal of the season from the penalty spot to drag the Bulls back into the game at 2-0, but two late goals killed off the tie when the visitors looked like they might just sneak into the hat for the next round.
"We've done really well getting this far," Chatfield told Bulls TV after the game, "it's just the luck of the draw that we had to play a team like that.
"It's great coming up here - it's a great set up and a great management team."
Although there was plenty to be positive about, the gaffer couldn't help but wonder the possibilities if particular moments went differently.
"We've given ourselves too much to do," he said, "at 2-1 I think the goals that we did concede could have been averted, they were our fault.
"We've hit the post and then another good effort from Duggan; on another day them two would have gone in and it could have been a closer affair.
"It is what it is and we've got to brush ourselves down because we go again on Tuesday."
Despite some disappointments, Chatfield agreed that the afternoon was a good experience for a side that is still finding its feet: "It's a great experience for us as a new team - like we've said before, we've not played many games together, so stuff like that is going to happen.
"I'm proud of them, they got to a Step 3 side, we've given it a good go, and on another day it could have been another score."
The FA Cup adventure may be over for another season, but the Bulls boss is raring to go for a league fixture at last on Tuesday night when AFC visit Handsworth.
"I'm looking forward to it, we want to get back in the league now.
"It would be nice to actually start talking about three points on the board instead of getting into the next round, but you can't complain because the prize money is great for the club, but now I want to get back into the league."
Experienced midfielder Jamie McGuire was disappointed with the first couple of goals the Bulls conceded, but was still pleased with his side's performance.
"After (the first two goals) I thought we were the better team," he told Bulls TV, "I think we had a few chances we should have scored, but we didn't do that and going into half-time we had to regroup.
"The spirit has shown through the boys, we've done well and gotten through three games before this.
"It's a big learning curve for the boys, that's all it is - we can only go as far as we can, we've just got to concentrate on the league now."
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