Halstead Town manager Mark Benterman says his players need to use the disappointment of their cup semi-final defeat at Great Yarmouth Town as a springboard to success.

The Humbugs’ dreams of a place in the Thurlow Nunn League First Division Knockout Cup were dashed in a 3-2 defeat in Norfolk, but Benterman won’t allow his team to wallow in any pity and has set them a testing points target to reach.

They return to division one action tomorrow with a game against third-placed Swaffham Town at Rosemary Lane (kick-off 3pm) and the Halstead boss is now looking for a strong finish to the campaign as they build towards a potential promotion push next season.

He said: “The last time we were in a cup semi-final was six or seven years ago.

“You want to be in these games and we were in it, but it wasn’t to be. We are disappointed, but we have to use that feeling of disappointment to push ourselves on next year.

“We have a great run-in and we are very excited about the way the season can end."