WISBECH Town boss Steve Appleby has insisted that his wounded Fenmen still have a bright future after they were dumped out of the FA Vase by Wroxham on Saturday.

A depleted Wisbech side were smashed 4-0 by last year’s beaten finalists with last-gasp signing Callum Reed unable to inspire Appleby’s troops. But the disappointed Fenmen boss said the season could still be a successful one.

“I’m as gutted as everybody else”, said Appleby. “Me as manager and the players themselves are as disappointed as the supporters.

“We are wounded and we are gutted but we will pick ourselves up and go again. There’s still plenty to play for and we have still got a bright future ahead of us.

“It was another lesson learned and we must move on. We are still a fairly new side and it takes time - you have to walk before you can run.”

There were few positives for the Fenmen in their defeat at Trafford Park, as the hosts scored early goals in both halves to set up victory.

“We helped with our own downfall,” said Appleby. “Getting caught out at the start of each half left ourselves with a mountain to climb.

“We huffed and puffed and didn’t get very far. We were lacking a bit of quality.”

But, in a game where the Fenmen were missing four key midfielders, the Wisbech boss was encouraged by the debut of 20 year-old Reed, a former Peterborough United youngster.

“He did very well,” said Appleby. “I thought him and Paul Cousins were outstanding. He has come from a higher level and you can see that straight away. That’s the sort of player we want - it shows the ambition of the club.”

Wisbech visit mid-table Wivenhoe Town tomorrow as they renew their push for a top six finish in the Ridgeons Premier Division.

“We will keep going until it’s physically impossible to win the league,” said Appleby.

“Football’s a strange game and I have played in two title winning sides when we have been 20 or 25 points behind at Christmas and come back to win it. We are still aiming for top six and we won’t ever give up.”