STEVE Sheehan said Canvey Island’s failure to make their pressure count was the reason for their play-off final defeat.

Sheehan netted a late goal for Canvey to make it 2-1 against Haringey Borough, only for the hosts to go up the other end and stretch their advantage.

And Sheehan says failing to get back into the Isthmian Premier League at the first time of asking is a big blow.

“It was the classic scenario of not taking your chances and getting punished for it,” said the Canvey central defender.

“We rode a bit of a storm in the second half and we did okay, but then we did drop off and they scored. It opened up after that and not going up hurts, of course.”

The Gulls centre-back added failure to achieve the central objective of automatic promotion, following their relegation last term, proved costly in the end.

“Getting into the play-offs is a positive, but I feel like that was our secondary target,” he said. “We wanted the title and once that didn’t come about we got into the play-offs, where anything can happen.

“And we couldn’t get over the finishing line in the end, which was really disappointing.”