PENISTONE Church lost on penalties in their NCEL League Cup semi-final at Knaresborough Town on Tuesday.
After a 0-0 draw, the hosts progressed 5-4 in the shoot-out.
Church coach John Whitehead said: “The first half was to and fro and we cancelled each other out.
“We gave the lads some ideas for the second half and they played well but couldn’t find the winning goal.
“The lads ran their blood to water against a team who put the ball on you at every opportunity.
“It’s a disappointing defeat which we have umbrage with because we really wanted to be in that cup final.
“All the best to Knaresboroough in the final. We’re proud of every single one of our lads.
“We had players carrying injuries. It’s been a long season.
“We have one more game on Saturday and we need to make sure we give the supporters something to cheer.”
Church won 4-0 at Beverley Town in the NCEL Premier Division on Saturday.
Sam Scrivens netted twice with Thomas Brennan and Luca Defalco also on target against the hosts who were fourth in the table.
That left them eighth, 12 points off the play-off places and 27 clear of the relegation zone.
They are now due to complete their league season at home to Frickley Athletic who are third-bottom.
Church will record their lowest points total since being promoted into the division in 2017 – having finished in the top seven in all the previous completed campaigns in that time.
They have been the highest-placed non-league club in the Barnsley borough throughout much of that time but could potentially be joined by Wombwell Town, Dearne and District or Worsbrough Bridge who are hoping to be promoted from Division One.
Assistant manager Brett Lovell said: “It was about just giving a good account of ourselves.
“Beverley needed the points to cement their play-off place so there was no pressure on our lads and from one to 17 their team spirit was outstanding.
“There was a swirling wind, it was a hard bouncy pitch and we adapted to the conditions better than Beverley.
“I’m over the moon with the lads, they deserved the victory and the performance was excellent.
“We’ll take the plaudits because we fully deserved a 4-0 win.”
