BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent boss James Webster had mixed feelings after his side’s Red Insure Challenge Cup exit against Stanway Rovers.

While bitterly disappointed to lose Tuesday’s first-round tie 5-4 on penalties, after a 1-1 draw, he insists his side’s top priority is the Thurlow Nunn League.

And he is sure he won’t have to lift his players for Saturday’s premier division clash at home to Thetford.

“We’re still going strong in other competitions, especially the league and that’s our priority,” said the Regent boss.

“To be honest, we’re surprising ourselves.

“Having won promotion last season, it was a bit of an unknown quantity to see how we’d get on.

“Thankfully, it’s going well so far and we’re enjoying ourselves.

“We’ll pick ourselves up and go again and I don’t think I’ll have to lift the boys.

“The league is the main thing we want to do well in this year, even more than the FA Vase.

“We want to establish ourselves in this division and prove we’re good enough.”

For the thoughts of Stanway boss Angelo Harrop, see Thursday's Daily Gazette.