DANNY Scopes was immensely proud of his players as Concord Rangers fell agonisingly short of bagging a place in the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history.

The Beach Boys suffered a 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat to League Two side Stevenage following a 2-2 draw after extra-time.

Goals from Alex Wall and Odei Martin cancelled out efforts from former Southend United left-back Ben Coker and Danny Newton as Scopes' charges went in search of a famous upset at the Lamex Stadium.

Although Tosan Popo's missed spot-kick proved crucial, Scopes was keen to praise his National League South outfit.

The Concord boss said: "I was proud of my boys before the game and I am still proud after the game.

"We have a group that wants to do well. I was proud of their application, grit and determination.

"They took a full-time football club to extra-time and then we were probably the stronger side in that period.

"We need to use it to motivate us going forward.

"We came to Stevenage with confidence. We knew it would be difficult, we wouldn't have a lot of the ball and they have good experience.

"But, with no disrespect, they're not used to winning games.

"We took it to them and backed ourselves. The game plan worked and we put on attacking players late on to go for it. That nearly came off but penalty shoot-outs are a lottery."

Stevenage broke the deadlock on 27 minutes through Coker, with his strike taking a wicked deflection to leave Beach Boys goalkeeper Chris Haigh wrong-footed.

But Concord responded well and restored parity shortly before half-time.

A fine move resulted in Jason Raad being able to deliver a teasing cross and although Sam Blackman got a toe onto the ball, Wall found the back of the net from close range.

Neither side could find a winner inside 90 minutes, so the tie went to extra-time and the hosts - managed by ex-Southend striker Alex Revell - went back in front through substitute Newton.

But Concord refused to go down without a fight and Martin took the clash to penalties thanks to netting from close range.

Although the shoot-out did not go in Concord's favour, Scopes believes his side must use the promising performance as a blueprint ahead of Tuesday's National League South encounter with Welling United.

He added: "We were excellent to a man and the substitutes came on to make an impact as well.

"This performance means nothing unless we can get something from our game against Welling.

"We need to get points on the board because our league form is what you are judged on at the end of the season."