SHAUN Reid admits coming so close to realising Warrington Town’s promotion dream hurts, but believes the club will learn from the heartbreak.

Town, who topped the table for longer than any other side this season, were beaten 1-0 by Bamber Bridge in the play-off semi final after eventually finishing third.

Two days on former Rochdale midfielder Reid has had time to reflect on Tuesday’s loss and is beginning to think about next season.

“It’s hurting,” said Reid. “Because we felt that we would have a great chance of winning it. Once again we played probably the best football we have all season but just couldn’t put the ball in the net.

“They got a half chance and stuck it away. I think on reflection we did enough to win it, but that’s football, that’s the disappointment we have to deal with, build on it and learn from it.

“The boys will be disappointed but they have to take stock of what they have done for the football club – it’s a huge improvement.”

Town kept an impressive 21 clean sheets in all competitions and boasted a 17-match unbeaten run before Christmas, but Reid feels they came up short at vital points.

“It’s a fine line between success and failure,” added the 48-year-old. “I always say that good players will take that bull by the horns and have to be brave to go and win.

“We fell a bit short this season. If you learn from it and the players learn from it then next season they know the parameters they have to work at.

“Every game we have to give 120 per cent and run through brick walls – on a few occasions this year we let ourselves down.

“I look at myself as well – maybe it was time to change things, when you have gone 17 games unbeaten people would say you shouldn’t change.

“But the best time to improve is when you’re on top – that’s one thing that will stick with me from this season.”