SLOUGH Town Chairman Steve Easterbrook is confident that it will not be long before the Rebels reach the third round of the FA Cup, writes Rob Stevens.

Slough missed out on being in the hat with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea this season after a 1-0 defeat to League One side Gillingham on Sunday.

Easterbrook reacted with disappointment but immense pride in the performance at Arbour Park, and he has hailed joint-managers Neil Baker and Jon Underwood for continuing to move the club forwards.

He told the Observer: "It was a great game and a fantastic performance from the team. Unlike the Rochdale game last season, we were always in this game. It's just unfortunate Gillingham had to score a wonder goal.

"We dominated for large parts of the game but just couldn't get the goal that I thought our performance deserved.

"The statistics show how much we dominated, but at the end of the day the only important statistic is who won, so congratulations to Gillingham.

"Perhaps we can console ourselves that it took the Goal of the Round to beat us.

"We could've been in round three if we had just got that bit of luck that I thought our performance deserved.

"Season on season we're improving and I'm sure it won't be long before we at least get into the hat for the third round."

It is the second successive season that Slough have reached the second round of the FA Cup and this year the Rebels have won over £85, 000 in prize money, plus additional tv revenue.

Those finances will be reinvested back into the football club and Easterbrook has urged people to continue to support Slough in the National League South this season.

He said: "The club is very lucky to have two managers in Neil and Jon that work so well together and are dedicated to the club and football.

"I have the utmost respect for them both and they're one of the major reasons the club is continuing to consolidate and move forwards.

"The player deserve a huge amount of credit also. They've just gone toe-to-toe with a League One side and I think most people would agree that at the very least we matched them.

"It's important now that we move forwards and look to consolidate our solid start in the league."

Easterbrook added: "Not only has the club benefitted financially from the FA Cup run, but the media attention has been fantastic.

"We've welcomed new supporters to the club and it was fantastic to have a record crowd of over 2,000 for the Gillingham game.

"It would be great to maintain the level of support that our FA Cup run has brought. I would urge supports to keep on coming as together I'm sure we can continue to move forwards."