Newmarket Town boss Kevin Grainger says his side showed that can step up to the next level despite their defeat in the semi-finals of the Suffolk FA Premier Cup sponsored by Omni Freight Services Ltd.

The Jockeys produced an impressive performance in their 2-0 loss to holders Lowestoft Town in last night’s semi-final at Bloomfields, home of Needham Market FC.

Newmarket, currently third in the Premier Division of the Thurlow Nunn League, were the better side in the second period against The Trawlerboys, who play two steps higher in the Ryman League Premier Division.

Grainger said: “We got in behind them a few times, which was what we planned, but couldn’t make it count.

“The first-half was theirs, but in the second-half I thought we were the better side and played some good football, although the pitch was very bobbly.

“We didn’t create lots of chances, although we did get the ball into their box quite a lot, but they showed their experience and didn’t panic and tried to play the ball out.”

Newmarket had a couple of appeals for penalties late on, one for handball, but both were turned down, and Grainger said: “It looked like a handball and a penalty to me.”

However, the Newmarket boss was pleased with his side’s performance, especially in the wake of Saturday’s 4-2 loss at home to Walsham-le-Willows.

He continued: “We are not too disappointed. We played badly at the weekend, but have bounced back tonight and showed we can step up to the next level, certainly one league but maybe not two.”

Newmarket have applied for promotion to Step 4 next season, although it is looking increasingly unlikely as leaders Mildenhall are now ten points ahead of The Jockeys with both sides having seven games remaining.

Grainger added: “We only applied on the off-chance, but we will keep pushing in the league.

“We will get the work done at our ground and if we get a certificate we will have that for three years, so if we don’t get promoted this season we will be pushing to do so next season.”