With seven more games this month alone, Brantham Athletic have no time to dwell on the disappointment at crashing out out of the FA Cup.

Manager Michael Brothers blamed a lack of belief as the Imps went down 3-0 in front of a sell out 300 home crowd against south Essex side Aveley FC.

"I'm a little bit frustrated if I'm honest," admitted Brothers after the Thurlow Nunn League side failed to pull off another cup upset and went down to higher level opposition. "We gave a good account of ourselves but deep down we probably needed to be a bit braver, and have a bit more belief.

"We gave it ago but if we had a bit more confidence we would have caused them a few more problems."

"Their first goal was very good, then a penalty with minutes to go with us pushing but I felt the scoreline was bit flattering."

The Imps now have a run of six home games in seven more matches in October, starting against Felixstowe & Walton United in the Premier Cup on Tuesday and will not allow his players to wallow for long.

"We have to make sure we don't allow this to affect us," said Brothers. "It is quite an achievement to get where we have but we need to remember how hard we have worked to get this far and take that into the league.

"There is no time in football, the Premier Cup is a great Cup, and that may give us an opportunity to give a couple of fresh faces to play. It is an important cup but with so many games we may need to freshen the team up a little."

Andrew Plummer made three top saves to deny the visitors an even more flattering scoreline, while Brantham barely troubled the opposition keeper, in the Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round.

The Imps could not find a way past a cynical Millers defence that took advantage of lenient refereeing and the physically imposing Isthmian League North side took their chances and netted through Harry Gibbs, Steve Sheehan and Wyan Reid.

A total prize fund payout of almost £6,000 will cushion the blow for the village club whose run equalled their best in its 113-year history.