Colchester United have always said that getting promoted from Coca-Cola League One has been their priority this season.
Moment of hope - Neil Danns (left) celebrates his goal with Mark Yeates. Pictures: ROB SAMBROOK (48382-9)
And it is a good job they are focused on that goal as that is all they have to aim for now, after they bowed out of the LDV Vans Trophy with a 3-1 aggregate loss to Swansea in the Southern Area Final.
The U's dreams of a visit to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff died in a wretched five-minute spell in the second half at Layer Road.
Goals by Leon Britton and Leon Knight saw the Swans to a 2-1 victory on the night, which was added to their 1-0 win at the Liberty Stadium last Tuesday.
Kenny Jackett's side deserved their win in the end, but it had started promisingly for Colchester with an encouraging first-half performance.
They had the better of the play and created some decent chances.
However, none of them were taken and, as the half drew to a close, it signalled exactly 12 hours of football since a U's player had found the back of the net.
However, within a minute of the restart, the U's ended their unwelcome goal drought to give the fans dreams of a trip to Cardiff.
Danns' goal may have had a huge element of fortune to it, but when you haven't scored for 720 minutes you don't care how it comes.
The midfielder had hit an effort from 20 yards more in hope than anything else, but it struck a divot just in front of Swansea keeper Willy Gueret and bounced over the prostrate Frenchman into the back of the net.
But joy turned to dismay within five minutes when Swansea regained the aggregate lead.
Sam Ricketts hit a low cross from the right and Knight cleverly dummied it, leaving Britton the simple task of side-footing home.
And five minutes later the U's Cardiff dreams were finally dashed when Knight buried a chance to make it 2-1 on the night.
More in today's Evening Gazette
More on Colchester United FC
Have your say on our Views on the U's bulletin board
Published Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article