City manager Gary Bellamy was bitterly disappointed not so much as the defeat but the way in which his side played to make such an early exit from the FA Trophy in Kent on Saturday.

"We gave away two soft first half goals and were still in with a chance to pull it back in the second half," Bellamy said.

"But I was disappointed with the all round display and the players were told so afterwards - I am looking for a major improvement and consistency in our league campaign because promotion remains priority."

Some supporters gave the manager a bitter verbal criticism from the terraces in the second half for not changing the side but he retorted: "We were still very much in the game and on the day I don't think we had anyone on the bench who could have changed the situation as it was - it's my decision and I stick by what I did."

The Ryman League side opened the scoring in the 14th minute when what looked like a hopeless cross from the wing from Matt Woolf was failed to be cleared by the City rearguard and the ball skidded through to the far post where the unmarked Kirk Watts metted.

Minutes later City conceded another sloppy goal when Dean Francis appeared to mishit the ball but it fell kin dly to Jamie White who had both time and space to take the ball forward before firing it home past the stranded Paul Catley.

City, with the defence looking decidedly shaky early on, really had nobody in midfield to take the game by the scruff of the neck and dictate play.

A half-time verbal roasting from the manager appeared to see a marked improvement in City's second half showing and with a little slice of luck they could have found themselves back in the game.

Newcomer Paul Pilkington was the provider for Ben Fuller who dragged his shot wide of the target when he should have done better.

The same player had another chance later but simply chipped the ball straight into the hands of the home goalkeeper while the nearest City came to scoring was a late Pilkington effort.

Chelmsford City: Catley; B Girling, Reeve, Bishop. Wardley; Berquez, Dobinson, Bailey, Pilkington; Bramble, Fuller. Unused substitutes: Vincent, Bell, Crane, Sutton and Shirley.

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