Harrow Borough manager Dave Anderson believes his team “have come a long way” despite crashing out of the FA Trophy to AFC Hornchurch on Tuesday.

The Reds lost the second-round replay 1-0 after the first match finished 1-1 at the Earlsmead Stadium on Saturday.

Anderson accepted his side deserved to lose on Tuesday night but pointed out that there were positives to take from both games.

“We were disappointed to lose but I think they were a lot better than us,” he said.

“We were just not in the game and did not really look like we were going to score.

“They scored just before half time and we struggled to break them down after that. But, over 180 minutes, we have lost by one goal to a team that is second in the league. We have to take the positives out of it. We have come a long way over the past four or five weeks.”

Quincy Rowe headed a second-half equaliser for Harrow on Saturday and the Reds arguably could have won the game but they were denied a late penalty.

Anderson said: “Everyone in the stadium could see it was a clear penalty but the referee did not give it.

“I am critical of referees at this level and I was on Saturday too. I have no complaints about the result though – a draw was fair.”

Harrow host Leatherhead in the Ryman Premier League on Saturday followed by matches against strugglers Concord Rangers and Margate.

Anderson believes it will be a crucial few weeks for his side as they target a possible play-off push.

“The next games will define our season,” he said.

“In a perfect world I would like us to win all three and then maybe look to push for the play-offs but it will be tough. Leatherhead are struggling but you have to be careful.

“But I am confident going into it and it will be a massive match. Footballers enjoy the big games and we are very much looking forward to it.”

Boro are offering half price admission on Saturday to ticket holders for the England versus Spain match at Wembley Stadium. Kick-off at Earlsmead is at 3pm.