Avro manager Alex Frost admits that his side’s performance surpassed even his most optimistic expectations despite exiting the FA Cup on Saturday after a 2-1 loss at Guiseley, writes Liam Bambridge.

“Proud is an understatement, we had a team from two leagues higher on the ropes, and it took a moment of class to separate us,” was Frost’s reaction after a superb display from the underdogs, who took the lead after 20 minutes. Adam Owen’s knock down fell to Liam Ellis, and he drove the ball into the bottom corner past home keeper Kyle Trenerry to give his side the early advantage.

Guiseley drew level early in the second half when experienced striker Jake Cassidy glanced home Donald Chimalilo’s cross from the right at the far post. However, the sides remained level until just over 20 minutes from time, when John Johnston curled a beauty into the top corner direct from a free kick on the left edge of the penalty area.

The visitors remained undeterred by this setback, and came agonisingly close to earning a replay on two occasions. Substitute Ethan Sutcliffe’s introduction clearly unsettled the home defence, and after he had been held back on the edge of the area, the ensuing free kick from Jake Cottrell was brilliantly kept out by Trenerry.

Moments later another powerful piece of play from Sutcliffe gave Kyle Jacobs the chance to make it 2-2 with Trenerry out of position, but his left foot effort from the edge of the area cleared the crossbar as well as the defender on the goal line.

“You could tell from the expressions on their players’ faces at the end how hard we had pushed them,” said Frost. “They looked relieved, and a number of them said to me afterwards how well they thought we had played. It is no consolation of course when you lose the game, but we have certainly come out of it with a lot of credit and that is all you can ask for if you don’t get the win.”

After a run of 11 games in five weeks, five of them in cup competitions, the focus returns to the league in September, starting with the visit of Congleton Town to the Vestacare Stadium tomorrow evening.

Frost is acutely aware that his side’s excellent start will count for nothing if they fail to build on the six successive wins and clean sheets which they have so far recorded in the NWCFL Premier Division.

“We need to refocus quickly and make sure that we are 100 per cent ready for what will be another big challenge.”