STAND-IN skipper Alan McCormack admitted Town’s defeat to Chesterfield in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final at Wembley will not sink in for several days.

The Irishman led the team in the absence of injured captain Paul Caddis, but couldn’t stop his team falling to a 2-0 defeat to Chesterfield.

McCormack told the Advertiser the Town dressing room had been left devastated by the result, which left everyone connected with the club deflated.

“We were totally devastated by the defeat and we were all a bit stunned in the dressing room,” he said. “I don’t think it will sink in for a while really, because we came here wanting to win and we knew we were capable if we played at our best.

“It was heartbreaking, but I think a 2-0 scoreline was a little bit flattering for them. We didn’t play as well as we should have in the second half and we know that. They were the better side and we struggled to create and get our passing structure going which is very important to us.”

The 28-year-old was convinced the game hinged on Oliver Risser’s own goal a minute into the second half, but backed the Namibian to bounce back from the costly error.

“We were shell-shocked to concede so early in the second half and that really cost us as we couldn’t get going after that,” he said. “It seemed to kill us and it gave them that little bit more energy as they started throwing their bodies in front of shots.

“Oliver has to keep his head up because he has been playing very well for us recently, and these things happen sometimes. Everyone has a bad moment like that, and unfortunately his was today.

“If he hadn’t have stuck his leg out their striker would just have tapped it in behind him, so there was nothing he could do.

“He takes a lot of things to heart but he is a hard worker who gets his head down, so I am sure he will come back stronger.”

In the absence of Caddis, McCormack was given the honour of leading the Town side out at Wembley, but would rather have lined up alongside the Scot.

“It was amazing feeling to end up leading the side out, and is something you always dream of doing,” he said.

“But saying that I would much rather have been playing alongside Paul, because he is our leader. He has played in every game this year and just got injured at the wrong time and we all felt for him.

“Paolo had to give the armband to someone and I am honoured it was me.

“I had a lot of family over for the game and walking out into the sunshine was a great feeling, but unfortunately it was not to be for us.

“We are all disappointed for the club’s fans because so many of them came here wanting us to win, and they all put a lot of money into the day, but we just couldn’t get the win.”