Wisbech Town manager Dick Creasey has praised his players for going through the pain barrier for the club ... and warned them they’ll have to do it again.

On Saturday, Josh Ford hit a hat-trick in Wisbech’s 3-0 win over AFC Kempston Rovers.

But the Fenmen suffered semi-final Knock Out Cup heartbreak at AFC Rushden & Diamonds last night.

The hosts went in front early on, but Danny Beaumont levelled on 23 minutes.

Wisbech had the better of the second half but, in the 90th minute, Jason Turner bagged Diamonds’ winner.

Creasey said: “There is massive disappointment. We did really well. Rushdan had the better of the first half but we went in equal.

“In the second half, we were the better side. We just couldn’t get over the line and they grabbed it at the death.

“I can’t take anything away from our lads. We’ve not got a massive squad so there are players playing who shouldn’t be playing.

“Paul Cousins played on Saturday and was really hurting but did a tremendous job for 75 minutes against Rushden. “Neal Spafford should be nowhere near playing at the moment but he came on and gave us 15 minutes at the end.

“The players are going through the pain barrier. We are indebted to them.”

Unfortunately, with two games over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, there will be no chance of Wisbech’s players getting a well deserved rest.

The Fenmen, who are second in the United Counties League, travel to Desborough Town on Saturday, then host fourth place Holbeach United on Monday.

Creasey said: “The transfer deadline’s gone so we can’t get players in. We’re going to patch up who we’ve got. They are going to have to go through the pain barrier again.

“We have worked so hard to get into the top two and we’re not going to slip up. These are two massive games.

“Desborough is a difficult place to go and Holbeach are a rejuvenated side under new management who will come here thinking they can get one over on us. We must take points from these games.”