COLNE boss Steve Cunningham wants his squad to use the disappointment of their Evo-Stik League Division One North play-off semi-final defeat to fuel another promotion tilt next season.

The Reds were beaten 4-0 at Farsley Celtic to end their chances of reaching the Premier Division but Cunningham is confident the squad will stay together over the summer and be back in the mix in 2017-18.

He said: "We have got a great group of lads at the club and we will not be losing many players this summer.

"When we reflect in a week or so then we will see that we have massively over-achieved this season but it is a bitter pill to swallow to lose in the manner that we did.

"But I am proud of the players. I want it to hurt and to fuel them for next year.

"The lads are all best mates and it is a special bond between them and I know that they can't wait to have another crack at it next season and hopefully go one step better."

Colne were hit by a string of injuries at Throstles Nest meaning the Reds had to play the final 25 minutes with 10-men.

Spencer Jordan injured his shoulder in the warm-up and had to be replaced while skipper Simon Nangle suffered concussion midway through the first half and had to be replaced by Adam Morning. And Jack Lynch was forced off in the second half with Colne having used their subs meaning they played the final quarter a man down.

But the damage was done in the first half. Farsley opened the scoring on 26 minutes through Aiden Savory before two goals in as many minutes before the break from James Walshaw and Adam Clayton effectively killed the tie.

Colne stopper Greg Hartley did save a second half penalty but Lewis Nightingale made it four nine minutes from time and booked Farsley a place in Saturday's final against Ossett Town who beat Scarborough 3-1 in the other semi-final.

Cunningham added: "We had a game plan and for the first 25 minutes it was working and then we conceded a really sloppy goal from a set piece and in the two minutes before half time we pressed the self-destruct button.

"I let the players know that at half time and it was probably the biggest dressing down they have had this season.

"In the second half I wanted them to play for the shirt and to thank the fans who were unbelievable.

"It felt like a home game, the support we took to Farsley would not have looked out of place at a Football League club and they have been a great positive for us this season."