Mills disappointed as Corby pay the penalty

Charlie Wise was on target for Corby Town but they were ultimately beaten on penalties in their FA Cup tie at Mildenhall Town

Gary Mills was unable to contain his disappointment after his reign as Corby Town manager started with a penalty shoot-out defeat in the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup.

The Steelmen travelled to Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division side Mildenhall Town and looked set to clinch a place in the first qualifying round draw when Charlie Wise headed them in front just before the half-hour.

But the hosts battled back and grabbed a last-gasp equaliser from the penalty spot after Gary Mulligan was penalised for handball.

With ties being decided on the day with no extra-time, the match went straight to penalties and it was Mildenhall who prevailed 4-3 on spot-kicks.

The early setback came after Corby had enjoyed an encouraging pre-season with four wins out of four in their friendlies.

But Mills made few excuses for his team’s performance in Suffolk.

“We were poor today, from start to finish we were poor,” the Steelmen boss said.

“We were hanging in there at times and when we did have opportunities our final ball wasn’t good enough to go and finish them off.

“Mildenhall would have been gutted to be 1-0 down at half-time and we were delighted because we didn’t play well. It never really changed through the game to be honest.

“There are different ways to win games and I was hoping we would hang in there but they kept going.

“It’s disappointing for many reasons. Everyone wants to do well in the FA Cup and we have fallen at the first hurdle.

“We have had a pre-season of how I want us to play with a tempo and being brave and being positive but we didn’t have any of them today.

“They seemed to pass the ball better than us and we just didn’t get going.”

Corby will now hope to hit back when they get their Southern League Division One Central campaign under way against Aylesbury United at Steel Park next weekend.

And Mills added: “We have got to put a performance like that to bed and we have got to make sure that next Saturday, when we start the league, it is completely different to that.

For me personally, it’s a big disappointment. You always want to get off to a good start when you come to a new club. But I have learned a lot.

“Good teams bounce back and we have to bounce back next week.”