HARWICH and Parkeston assistant manager Ian Kershaw believes his side showed their progress in Saturday’s heart-breaking 1-0 defeat at Little Oakley.

Although “gutted” to lose to a stoppage-time goal, Kershaw felt his side more than matched the Essex and Suffolk Border League leaders.

Before the weekend, in-form Harwich had won their previous five games and seven of their last eight, plundering 30 goals.

“Oakley are a very good side but we’ve been happy with our own form since Christmas,” said Kershaw.

“We’ve been on a good run and although it was gutting to lose in the manner we did, our young squad will learn from it.

“We’ve shown our progress and will take a lot from the game.

“Hopefully this time next year we’ll be Oakley’s position.

“We’ll only get better and stronger from the experiences we’ve had this season and it’s all about progression.”

Kershaw admitted it was heart-breaking to lose to Sam Eldridge’s last-gasp winner at the Memorial Ground.

“Oakley adapted to the conditions a bit better than us in the first half,” he said.

“But in the second, I thought we had enough chances to possibly win the game, or at least come away with a point.

“We hit the bar and Geeny (Matt Geen) had a one-on-one with the Oakley keeper.

“Even then we thought we’d done enough to come away with a point and it was a cruel way to lose, right at the death.”

It was Harwich’s last game of the premier division season and they currently sit sixth, although they could dip down depending on how other clubs fare in their final fixtures.

Kershaw says he is relishing being back at a club where he enjoyed two spells as a player.

“I’m really enjoying being at Harwich,” he added.

“I’ll certainly be here next season and love the club. I believe good times lie ahead.”