Bury Town left Billericay’s AGP Arena with a sense of pride and a welcome boost to the club’s coffers, despite their 6-2 FA Trophy defeat on Saturday.

East Anglian Daily Times: Bury players celebrate with their fans Ollie Hughes' goal. Photo PAUL VOLLERBury players celebrate with their fans Ollie Hughes' goal. Photo PAUL VOLLER (Image: Archant)

Ben Chenery’s side were more than a match for their big-spending rivals for more than an hour of their second qualifying round match, but Jake Robinson struck a second-half hat-trick as a side containing ex-Premier League players Paul Konchesky and Jermaine Pennant eventually saw off plucky Bury.

Chenery was proud of his players’ display against a side which paid a combined £50,000 for striker Robinson and defender Dean Inman, while a split of the gate money from the 1,300-strong crowd means Bury’s brief Trophy run has netted them in the region of £7,500.

“Billericay are a very good football team, very good going forward, but we troubled them and we were good value for being 2-1 up at one point,” Chenery said.

“It was a really good cup tie but we didn’t keep it tight when we needed to. They brought on players and changed their intensity and the story of the game was ruthlessness in the boxes.

“I’m proud of the players, it was a really tough game and one we played a big part in. We leave with our heads held high because they know they were in a game.

“It couldn’t have been a better tie really in terms of financial reward in terms of the gate so it’s great the club can make a bit of money from that.

“The fans have had a good day out, the players will be much better for the test and it’s great to be able to contribute something to the finances.”

Chenery was also impressed with the way owner and manager Glenn Tamplin has helped grow Billericay, with significant investment made both in the playing squad and stadium.

“It’s great for Billericay, they’ve got their club rocking and it seems like a really good place to be,” he said.

“People have their opinions and mine is that they have shaken up non-league football, which can only be a good thing.

“It’s good for football, makes people want to see what’s going on and playing them has been great for us.”

Elsewhere in the Trophy, Mildenhall pulled off an impressive 1-0 victory at Barwell thanks to Craig Calvey’s free-kick, but Leiston lost 4-1 at Dorking while Needham Market were beaten 3-1 at Brentwood.