Ady Gallagher was not downhearted in the aftermath of Lowestoft Town’s defeat in the final of this season’s Suffolk FA Premier Cup sponsored by Omni Freight Services Ltd.

Lowestoft were denied a third straight victory in the competition when they went down 3-2 to Needham Market at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, home of Colchester United FC, in Monday’s final.

Frazer Blake-Tracey almost immediately cancelled out Luke Ingram’s third minute opener for the Marketmen, but Jack Simmons and John Sands then netted either side of the interval for Mark Morsley’s men.

That left the Trawlerboys facing an uphill battle and although Blake-Tracey scored his second goal of the game with six minutes remaining, it was Needham who lifted the cup.

Lowestoft were missing several regulars, including brothers Rossi and Ryan Jarvis, Rory McAuley, Andrew Fisk and Jamie Forshaw.

Added to that Nico Cotton, who has been on loan at Crown Meadow from Southend United during the season, was ineligible as his deal had expired.

It meant that Manager Gallagher, who gave a first start to Ryan Miles, included several youngsters in his squad, which saw only two players named on the bench.

Gallagher said afterwards: “When you look at the build-up we have had to the game, with the difficult hand we have been dealt, to then concede so early, the way we responded was first-class.

“Some supporters would have looked at our line-up and then to concede after just three minutes they may have thought we were going to get a thumping.

“It was a silly mistake that led to their second goal just before half-time, and I thought we were worthy of going in level, which would have given us a platform to build on.

“I thought our young players were tremendous and I am very proud of them. They were brave enough to get on the ball and force the game and showed they have a bright future.

“We made elementary mistakes that cost us the goals, otherwise the game would have been much closer than it was, but we kept going right to the end.”