WATCHING Stevenage Borough skipper Ronnie Henry lift the FA Trophy is not a moment Stuart Whitehead will want to cherish.

The Harriers captain was left wondering what might have been as he led his team past non-league's most famous piece of silverware to collect their losers' medals in Wembley's Royal Box.

Whitehead, aged 30, thought it would be him holding aloft the trophy after seeing James Constable fire them into a 2-0 half-time lead.

But, come full-time, it was his opposite number Henry who had the honour of receiving the magnificent prize.

Whitehead said: "I had a big lump in my throat walking past that trophy at the end knowing we were so close and watching their captain lift it.

"I spoke to their captain afterwards and he said that they couldn't live with us in the first-half and they thought it was all over.

"It could have been different and I could have been the one lifting that Trophy but it wasn't to be and we just keep going onwards and upwards.

"The gaffer has said he's immensely proud of what we've done. We're downbeat enough, there's nothing he can say that's going to make us feel any better."

Whitehead, though, tried to remain positive and praised his team-mates, family, friends and fans for playing their part in the first final at the new national stadium.

"It's been an experience for everyone to play at Wembley," he said. "We put on a performance and I don't think anyone has let themselves down. It was a thriller and for the first game at Wembley and being on Sky it's a credit to the Conference.

"If nothing else, it was entertaining. The support has been fantastic. I've had so many texts wishing us good luck.

"I think it's shocked everyone what football means to Kidderminster. It's been a real plus to know there are that many people behind you willing you on."

But the former Shrewsbury defender spoke for the rest of the Harriers squad when he said: "There's going to be a few sleepless nights thinking about what could have been and how close we came.

"Everyone wants to go and lock themselves in a room and get away from it all because I think when people come up and say unlucky' it gets you a bit more emotional.

"People are just gathering their own thoughts and thinking about what could have been but it wasn't to be."