BRADFORD Town boss Paul Shanley saluted the performance of his players as their FA Cup journey was ended by county rivals Chippenham Town after a tight battle at Trowbridge Road.

Lee Phillips' header 10 minutes from time decided an entertaining second qualifying round tie in favour of the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division leaders - but only after the Toolstation League Premier Division underdogs had pushed their higher-league opponents all the way.

Skipper Aaron Wilson had twice put Bradford ahead with superb first-half goals, but they were pegged back each time by a long-range effort from Matt Smith and thumping Mark Preece header for Chippenham.

Bradford had desposed Southern League Hungerford over two games in the previous round and Shanley felt his side had delivered another performance to be proud of, albeit in defeat.

"I thought we had done enough to get a result and maybe get back to their place (for a replay) on Tuesday night, but I was just really proud of the players,'' said Shanley.

"I said at the start that we would have a right go at it and, in the first half that's what we did.

"I was just disappointed with the goals we conceded really - all three of them. We got done at a set piece for their second one (from Preece) right on half time and the one at the end (Phillips' winner) is from a long throw.

"We made mistakes and they punished us. That's the level they're at. Make those mistakes in our league and you probably get away with it.''

Shanley hopes Bradford will use the experiences of their FA Cup heroics to take into the remainder of their league campaign

"We weren't overawed. We lived with them and battled and caused problems, especially in the first half,' he added.

"I'm just really proud of them and it's a shame. I think we probably deserved a replay. That would have been nice but we have got to take that (the performance) forward into the league now.

"We've set standards and if we can keep them in the league we can have a good season.''