Racing Club let a two-goal lead slip to bow out of the FA Vase

Two goals inside the first 11 minutes from Ryan Langmead put Racers in a strong position before the Midland Alliance highflyers hit back through Jake Murrell and Matt Brown.

Further goals from Dean Rathbone and Brown, in the 71st and 80th minutes, confirmed the West Midlands side’s progress and left Hayden a frustrated man.

“We were the best team for the first half-hour and if we had been 4-0 up it would have been deserved,” said Hayden.

“They are the form team in the Alliance but they couldn’t get near us.

“Then we took our foot off the gas and stopped playing.

“After that (goalkeeper) Ryan Bennett was our best player and it could have finished 7-6.

“But even though it was higher division opposition, the players are gutted to have lost.”

Racing Club missed out on the £900 cash windfall that goes with a first-round victory but Hayden said that while the money would have been useful, the lessons learned will be invaluable.

“When you go two goals up, you keep going or you shut up shop,” he said. “But that will come with experience.

“It’s only been three months - we’re still gelling.

“I’d love to play opposition like Coleshill again after Christmas.”

Racing Club are without a game tomorrow.