For some clubs, the thought of missing out on promotion by a single point and reaching the last four of two cup competitions without winning any silverware would be a little too much to bear.

However, for HALSTEAD TOWN boss Jody Brown, the disappointment of going so close but yet so far has been somewhat tempered by the notion that the club have a healthy future in prospect.

Having been relegated from the premier division, Town have shown enough in division one during this campaign to suggest that they will be able to embark on an even stronger challenge for promotion next time around.

Manager Brown had hoped that his carefully-crafted blend of youth and experience would lift them into one of the three available promotion slots.

Results in the early part of the season suggested that the plan appeared to be working.

However, long-term injuries to experienced duo Paul Abrahams and John Pollard proved damaging. But it did have a silver-lining.

It allowed the likes of youngsters Andy Joslin and Tom Austin to shine.

And rather than be hindered by his extra responsibility, striker Chris Bryan flourished in his role of Halstead's main goalscorer.

He finished up with 27 goals in the 42 league and cup games he played and the Rosemary Lane outfit will be hoping to hold on to him next season.

They might have had more of a chance had they successfully returned to the premier division at the first time of asking.

However, a slow start to the season - coupled with a long injury list in the second half of the season - saw them fall just short of achieving their objective.

prevented It was a case of so near and yet so far in the cup competitions, too.

Only an unsuccessful penalty shoot-out prevented them from lifting the First Division Knockout Cup.

And they suffered similar heartache in the East Anglian Cup semi-finals, when they were narrowly beaten by Leiston.

However, after going so close, boss Brown is confident he can take his side one step further next time around.