Chris Hargreaves apologised to Yeovil Town supporters for a performance which was “nowhere near good enough” as his side went out of the FA Cup at Taunton Town.
A first half penalty from Lloyd James was enough to settle the fourth qualifying round tie and send the National League South side, who sit 24 places below the Glovers in the pyramid, through to the first round.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins, the manager said he “could not accept that kind of performance” from his players.
He said: “I picked a team I believe could win the game comfortably, it’s a group of lads that has been good enough to get results against good sides in the National League.
”So against a very resilient team, albeit one from a lower league, we did not deliver, so apologies to anyone who turned up tonight to watch that.”
The travelling 300 supporters at Wordsworth Drive made their feelings known with the team booed off at the final whistle for the second successive match. They faced a similar reception at the end of the tie’s first game at Huish Park on Saturday.
Hargreaves said he did not blame fans for the reaction: “They have to see something (from the team) which they can hold on to and get behind you. I have no problem with (the reaction of supporters.
”The players have got to step over that white line and give them something to cheer about over the two legs they haven’t which is bitterly disappointing.”
He admitted there was “no hiding place” from criticism of his record since taking the manager’s job and compared the situation with Bristol Rovers, where he was previously part of the youth team set up.
He said: “I have seen (Bristol Rovers manager) Joey (Barton) take a lot of stick and then turn it round and that is all you can do in football – prove people wrong, fight and believe and I do.
”If I didn’t (believe) I would not have taken the job and I want everyone else to do that.”
The final whistle saw some Glovers’ players clashing with each other with defender Ben Richards-Everton and midfielder Matt Worthington involved in some fiery exchanges.
Asked about it, the manager said it was a product of their annoyance at the performance and result.
He added: ”The boys are giving everything, but tonight a few nerves showed with some of the younger players and the occasion got to them.
”We have to work with them quickly because we need them to play.”
He added that he would “have to see a reaction” from the players when they returned to training on Wednesday morning.
They travel to Oldham Athletic in the National League on Saturday looking to build on a 1-0 home win in their last league match.
Hargreaves said: “I will now move on to a National League game having won the last one, that is my mindset. I can’t forget about that.
”Since that game there has been a very disappointing two (games) against a team in a lower division.
”This club needs to be in the Football League, not win the FA Cup. I go in to the next game on Saturday as determined as I was when I walked in the door.”
Chris Hargreaves on #YTFC's FA Cup exit. pic.twitter.com/LluEUkiMey
— Yeovil Town F.C. (@YTFC) October 18, 2022