Manager Kevin Hake hopes Chatham Town’s FA Cup exit shows his players what’s needed to succeed at a higher level.

Chats - who return to league action tonight - competed well against higher-league Slough Town but ended up losing the third qualifying round tie 3-0, as the visitors proved more ruthless in front of goal.

Slough took the lead with an 18th-minute penalty, doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time and added a third after the hour mark.

Hake said: “Sadly our FA Cup run came to an end on Saturday and we didn’t get the result we wanted but I was actually pleased with the performance.

“Anyone who witnessed the game will know we had a real go at them and if we could have taken our chances it would have been a much closer game.

“Fair play to Slough, as they were clinical, and this is something we are going to have to learn if we are to progress to the next level.

“The cup has given us the chance to face higher level opposition and learn what it takes to challenge against them.

“This is the furthest I have taken the team in the FA Cup but I would have loved to progress further. It wasn’t to be so now we can focus on our attention on league matters with a game against Hastings.”

Chats had beaten Welling United in the previous round at Park View Road but couldn’t repeat the feat against another side from the National League South at the Bauvill Stadium on Saturday.

Hake will have some key men back as they head to Hastings United for a midweek clash in the Isthmian Premier Division.

Isthmian Premier Division table

Chatham lost 3-1 at home to Canvey Island in their previous league outing.

Hake said: “We will hopefully have most of our players available for the game as Reece Butler and Bradley Sach are back from suspension and Valckx (Fernandes) and Jordy (Mongoy) return to contention after being cup tied at the weekend.”

The Chatham boss was keen to thank the fans who backed the team during their FA Cup run, adding: “They have been immense throughout this cup run.

“The support on Saturday and particularly away at Welling was unreal.

“Supporters give up a lot travelling home and away with us. They give up a lot making the effort to come to places like Hastings midweek and it is truly humbling.”

Chatham are back at home on Saturday when they host Wingate & Finchley in the FA Trophy third qualifying round.