Chatham Town’s manager was blown away by the support his team had at the Velocity Cup final and was gutted they couldn't celebrate a win.

A stoppage-time goal clinched a 3-2 victory for Billericay Town in Wednesday night’s final at the Parkside ground in Essex. Chatham had come from two goals down to make for a thrilling final before being beaten late on.

“It was disappointing to lose the final, particularly in the manner we did,” said Chats boss Kevin Hake.

“For the neutral, it must have been a great game to watch. They are a good side but we more than matched them on the night.

“The pendulum was swinging both ways and unfortunately we couldn’t get that third goal after getting the ball into some great areas.

“With the game looking like it’s going to extra-time they popped up with the winner, so fair play to them.

“We won the cup the year before in a similar manner so we can’t complain.”

Chatham went into the game as the holders of the cup after beating Hashtag United in last year’s final at the same venue.

Ben Steward and Frankie Merrifield scored for Billericay in the first half but Chats came storming back in the second. Jamie Yila halved the deficit three minutes after the restart and Kareem Isiaka levelled with another three minutes gone against his old team.

Billericay, who sit second in the Isthmian Premier Division table, snatched it as Bradley Williams headed home.

Hake said: “I am proud of the way we responded to being 2-0 down, as it shows great character and fight, which is something we demand of all our players who wear a Chatham shirt.

“It wasn’t our night, and that’s football sometimes, you just need to accept it and move on.

“I am always overwhelmed by the level of support we get at our games but it blew me away on Wednesday night.

“To make the effort to get over that bridge on a weeknight, outnumber Billericay when they are just down the road is mind blowing.

“We did the same against Hashtag in the final last year, which was not surprising as they don’t have much of a fanbase, but this was remarkable.

“We were gutted not to reward this loyalty by bringing the cup home to the fans. They have been magnificent all season and the amount of well wishes, despite the result, was unreal.

“There was not one negative message, despite the loss, which makes this club of ours unique as that isn’t the case when I speak to other chairman and managers.

“We are in this together, the players and management team feel it and that’s what drives us on to do better and be better for you all.

“We now look to continue our good league form against sixth-placed Chichester City on Saturday at the Bauvill.”

Chichester sit three points above Chatham in the table, with both teams hoping to keep alive their play-off hopes.