Devastated Bradley would like Dean Saunders to stay on as manager

He described how the Reds got caught on the break after Darren Ward gave the ball away.

Bradley said: “We went 1-0 up and I think that’s what made it worse as we looked in control and they didn’t have any chances.

“All of a sudden we need a goal, we have chucked players forward going for it and they caught us on the counter-attack.

“Darren Ward knew he had to keep the ball moving because we needed another goal and unfortunately we have been caught out, they have squared it back and got the goal.

“It’s devastating, it’s heartbreaking. It won’t be just us feeling this pain, it will be the fans, the staff.”

Bradley backed interim manager Dean Saunders to stay on to mastermind their campaign next season.

He said: “There is nothing we can do now, it’s going to be depression no doubt for the next couple of weeks for us personally, but we have to shake it off and come back stronger next season.

“I had a disappointing season a couple of years ago with Aldershot, but it didn’t come down to the last day, it was never this dramatic so it’s my first, but I can assure you it’s not a nice taste and I don’t want to taste it again.

“I think under Dean we have massively improved and anyone can see that from the sidelines, if he does stay, I think we can continue this improvement.”