DANNY Scopes insists his Concord Rangers players did not have an eye on this weekend’s FA Trophy quarter-final tie with Royston Town as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Chippenham Town.

A Scott Twine brace and first half goal from George Rigg ensured the Beach Boys will go into their historic clash with Royston on the back of three successive losses.

Concord now sit just three points above Braintree Town, who are second-from-bottom in the National League South standings, and Scopes maintains staying in the second tier of non-league football is his priority.

“We have an honest bunch of lads and they know the position we are in with regards to the league table,” said boss Scopes.

“Although we have a few games in hand on those around us, the players want to move up the table as quickly as possible.

“We have been focused on the league and I would like to think we didn’t have an eye on Saturday.

“I just think Chippenham were better than us on the night and deserved the win.

“It wasn’t for the want of trying, that’s for sure.”

Rigg headed Chippenham into a first half lead before matters got worse for Concord shortly after the break.

Twine scored twice inside the opening five minutes of the second period to end the Beach Boys’ chances of picking up a positive result on their travels.

And Scopes was disappointed with the goals his side conceded.

“We knew we had to open up a little bit after the break and be more attacking, but there was no need to rush,” added Scopes.

“But, when you concede two goals quickly after the restart, everything that is said at half-time goes out of the window.

“We made a couple of bad decisions and gave away two poor goals.

“I don’t think we were switched on for the second phase after a corner and that allowed them to score their second goal.

“The boys huffed and puffed, but couldn’t get a goal.

“They kept going but, at the same time, Chippenham may have taken their foot off the gas at 3-0.”

Scopes feels being forced to make changes due to injuries proved costly.

“I feel as though we lacked a bit of belief and experience,” admitted Scopes.

“Since changing manager, Chippenham are flying.

“They deserved to win and we have to accept that.”