BURY Town manager Richard Wilkins admitted that the loss of Gavin Johnson to injury at half time proved crucial in his side's FA Cup defeat.The 38-year-old former Colchester United and Ipswich Town player was forced to withdraw from the action at the break due to a calf strain.

BURY Town manager Richard Wilkins admitted that the loss of Gavin Johnson to injury at half time proved crucial in his side's FA Cup defeat.

The 38-year-old former Colchester United and Ipswich Town player was forced to withdraw from the action at the break due to a calf strain. His loss meaning that the Suffolk side were left with only two players aged over 22 and having led 2-1 at the break, Bury eventually succumbed 4-2.

Wilkins said: “When Gavin went off we were only left with a couple of lads in their late 20s and to be honest their experience showed after that.

“I thought at times we were a little bit naïve and it was clear to see that apart from the first five or 10 minutes of the second half we panicked a bit.

“In all honesty though I thought we were the better team in the first half and they were in the second.

“Once we settled down I thought we showed our true colours and scored two good goals but with their direct style we knew it would be tricky for us with them being much taller.

“Their second goal in particular was a little bit hard to take because it was about six inches off the pitch before they won the corner. The dream is over now but I'm proud of my team and the fans, they have been superb and there is still a lot to achieve this season.”