Concord Rangers missed out on the chance to clinch silverware as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Harrogate Town despite a fine performance under the Wembley arch.

Just shy of 18 months on from their FA Trophy journey getting underway, Danny Scopes' side went into the final as underdogs against a side plying their trade two tiers higher in League Two.

But the Beach Boys, who had not been involved in a competitive fixture since February, held firm until Harrogate skipper Josh Falkingham broke Concord hearts by hitting what proved to be the winner 14 minutes from time.

Harrogate came close to taking an early lead, with Will Smith failing to score from close range before George Thomson's drive was turned away by Concord goalkeeper Chris Haigh.

The early chances could have left the Beach Boys shellshocked, but the National League South side fought back and Lamar Reynolds was thwarted by a Connor Hall block after getting behind the Harrogate defence thanks to James Blanchfield's measured pass.

Jon Stead curled wide and Jack Muldoon was kept out by Haigh after ghosting into the penalty area as Harrogate continued to search for an opener.

Scopes' charges felt they were unfortunate not to be awarded a spot-kick when the impressive Reynolds appeared to be pushed to the Wembley turf by Smith, but referee Peter Bankes waved away the appeals.

Haigh ensured Concord went in at the break on level terms by making a phenomenal save on 39 minutes.

Stead's goalbound strike took a wicked deflection off Beach Boys skipper Tyrone Sterling but the shot-stopper adjusted quickly and turned the attempt away with his legs.

Concord should have gone ahead 10 minutes after the interval through central defender Jack Cawley.

Harrogate failed to deal with Joe Payne's long throw and, after Ryan Charles rose highest to win a header, Cawley spurned the golden opportunity by hooking his effort handsomely over the crossbar from five yards out.

Cawley's fellow centre-half Billy Roast made an impressive block to send Mark Beck's goalbound close range strike over the crossbar just moments after the Harrogate frontman had come off the bench.

Another Harrogate substitute, Brendan Kiernan, wastefully headed wide as the Beach Boys continued to frustrate their opponents under the Wembley arch.

However, Concord's resistance was eventually broken with 76 minutes on the clock.

Following a marauding run forward, Muldoon's long range effort struck the post and fell kindly for Harrogate skipper Falkingham to tap home his first goal of the season.

Concord, whose supporters were unable to head to Wembley due to the clash taking place behind closed doors in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, went in search of a late leveller and Lewis Simper's attempted cross struck the crossbar, but the National League South side could not find a way through.