BOSS Paul Collicutt vowed to “come back more determined than ever” despite Evesham United’s third play-off heartbreak in four seasons.

The Robins cruelly got dumped out of the Southern League West play-offs by Swindon Supermarine 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.

Ex-United winger Bradley Gray, who was utilised as a striker by the visitors, had already brushed the post before stooping to head in the opener in bizarre circumstances.

Gray had swung a wayward shot towards the corner flag but it was recycled by Ryan Campbell for Gray to make amends at the far post 17 minutes in.

Evesham had spent most of the match on the front foot and warranted their leveller two minutes after half-time when Mat Liddiard powered a header across goal.

Supermarine keeper Josh Hill was kept busy but it was his side that almost pinched it when captain Zak Westlake crashed against the bar in the third minute of added time.

Evesham livewire Garyn Preen whacked the underside of the bar via the gloves of Hill in extra-time and it had to be decided from 12 yards with a wide spot-kick from top scorer Adam Mann proving costly.

AS IT HAPPENED: Evesham suffer shoot-out heartache in play-off semi-final

A “hurt” Collicutt found it hard to comprehend having lost out to Larkhall Athletic in 2015 and at Salisbury last season but insisted he would be ready to redraw battle lines once more after a much-needed closed-season break.

“It is a case of looking at the mistakes I have made during the season, what I could have done to be better or to make us better on the playing and management sides. There were perhaps things I could have done,” said Collicutt.

“I am looking forward to going on holiday. I haven’t had a proper break for a long time other than grabbing four or five days here or there, the longest I have had in the past 20 years is probably a week.

“It will be nice to go away and just chill. Hopefully, I will come back a better person for it like most people do when they have switched off properly.

“You doubt yourself, it is only human to feel that way after a setback like this but I only want the best for Evesham United and feel the club can move on.

“I would love to be the man to help them to do that. It was a bitter pill to swallow but 24 hours on, I know I will come back more determined than ever.

“You get disappointments in life but it is how you respond that counts. I think we have a genuine bunch of lads at the club, even if it will be hard to keep hold of them.”

Robins: Sawyer, Dovey, Bennett, Turley (Hancock, 112), Lewis, Liddiard, Bryan (Brown, 56), Haskayne, Mehew (Dunbar, 74), Mann, Preen. Unused subs: Williams, Wellon.

Attendance: 437.