DANNY Cowley said hearing hundreds of Concord fans singing in an away end at a big stadium softened the blow of their FA Cup exit to a ruthless Barnet.

The Beachboys boss admitted his side were "second best" but said the 226 travelling supporters had made it another milestone day for the small Canvey Island-based club.

He said: "We took three coach loads of supporters to the game and that's something we're proud of. We even had an away end today and they were signing, and for Concord Rangers that's quite an achievement. It just shows how far this football club has come.

"Today we've come up a little bit short, but there's no disgrace in that.

"Once they got the second goal they got confident and their quality players took advantage. But that's not an excuse because I'd lose to Manchester United and feel disappointed.

"I said to the players afterwards it's not time for me to be critical of them because they've got the club this far.

"We're disappointed but today will not define our season because this year it's about the league.

"We're always going to go out of the FA Cup because that's the nature of that competition for non league clubs. But we'll dust ourselves off, revaluate and get ready for Ebbsfleet."

For 20 minutes the Beachboys were their hosts' equal, but then Keanu Marsh-Brown produced an expert finish from Dani Lopez' quick counter and low cutback, and the Bees took control.

Marsh-Brown showed why he's his side's top-scorer as he let the ball roll across his body to create space before dispatching it calmly past the exposed Jamie Butler.

That was a body-blow for the Beachboys but Barnet's second five minutes later was effectively a fatal blow.

It was another nice finish but this time aided by slack marking as Lopez found space in the six-yard box to put a free header into the top corner from Kieron Cadogan's dinked cross.

Just before the break Concord went close to a lifeline when Gary OIgilvie's instinctive volley flashed just past the post after Sam Collins' free-kick was cleared to his feet 18 yards out.

The Bees replaced Jack Saville, who had struggled to contain Sam Higgins, during the interval and moved Carl Fletcher into centre back to close out the game.

And it worked as the ex-Welsh international showed all his experience to nullify a Concord attack bolstered by the introduction of Tony Stokes and Reece Harris on the hour mark.

Luisma Villa became increasingly influential and, after he had forced Butler into a low gather, he laid on his side's killer third goal.

Afforded space on the left of the box, Villa side-footed into the path of Lopez, and he dropped his shoulder to create space before rifling the ball home with a slick finish.

Barnet, only relegated from League Two last season on goal difference, finished strongly and went close to making it four late on when Villa's driven free-kick came back off the post.

It was a slightly flattering score-line but the Bees were worthy winners in front of a crowd of 1,373 at their new stadium, and will now be in the hat for tomorrow's first round proper draw.

Barnet: Stack (c), Acheampong, Saville (Byrne 46), Marsh-Brown (Mengerink 67), Abdulla, Villa, Vilhete, Stephens, Cadogan, Lopez, Fletcher (Nurse 85).

Concord: Butler, Hamilton (Harris 57), Glozier, Collins, King (c), Easterford, Gordon, White, Higgins (Livings 70), Cawley (Stokes 57), Ogilvie.

MoM: Dani Lopez (Barnet).