Boss Neil Smith hailed the 'guts' of captain Jack Holland for volunteering to take the missed sudden-death penalty in Bromley’s agonising 5-4 Wembley shootout defeat to Brackley Town.


Mor than 31,000 fans were at Wembley for the FA Trophy final, the Ravens’ first appearance at the national stadium since 1949.


Bromley led thanks to Omar Bugiel’s 19th minute opener, but Brackley were actually the better side after the break and squandered a host of chances.

AS IT HAPPENED: FA Trophy final at Wembley: Brackley Town vs Bromley

Smith said: “Jack is my captain and he leads from the front. That is why he put himself up to take the penalty.


“That goes for all my boys, Omar as well. But for Jack to put himself up in that situation he showed guts and that is why he is my captain.


“He has been brilliant all season. He scored the goal early on in the cup run when it looked like we were going out so I can’t fault the man.


“I thought he was awesome today.”


With the clock ticking down, and what was virtually with the last kick of five added minutes, Johnson turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Gareth Dean after Matt Lowe’s drive had cannoned back off the post.


There was nothing to separate the two sides in extra-time and so the game was decided by a penalty shootout.

READ MORE: Report: Brackley Town 1 Bromley 1: FA Trophy heartbreak for Ravens


It was advantage to the Ravens as Shane Byrne stepped up first for Brackley and saw his spot-kick excellently saved by Gregory.


Bromley led 4-3 and it was left to Bugiel to step up and score what would have been the winning kick.


However, he blazed his attempt over the bar and Glenn Walker set up a sudden death situation by making it 4-4.


Skipper Holland then hit the post, allowing Andy Brown to win it 5-4 for the plucky National League North underdogs and break Bromley’s hearts.