DANNY COWLEY says Concord Rangers showed ‘big heart’ to overcome rivals Chelmsford City.

The Beachboys were 1-0 winners on Monday evening thanks to a first-half strike from Lewis Taaffe, leapfrogging their opponents who had James Love sent off for a lunge on Gary Ogilvie shortly after the Clarets missed a penalty.

And the Concord manager says his side fully-deserved the win after the disappointment of losing in injury time to Basingstoke Town on Saturday.

“I was really pleased with the performance,” said Cowley. “We started really well and deserved to go in at half-time in front.

“They alluded to us being a small club,” he continued, in response to some comments on social media. “And we are a small club but we have a big heart. So it was great that we were able to come away with a win.

“We should have been much more clinical and, because we were only leading by one goal, we knew the late pressure would come. We need to improve at closing out games. But we have a young squad and we have to learn from defeats like at the weekend, and we will.”

Concord now sit 10th, only two points off the play-off places, and Cowley said his side had enjoyed a positive start to their second campaign in the Conference South.

“It has been a terrific start for us,” said the Beachboys manager. “For us to go to Chelmsford and do so well in front of a big crowd is great for our players.

“Now we have to focus on the next game and that is against Winchester City in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round on Saturday.”

Cowley dedicated Monday’s win at Chelmsford to Jamie Butler, who was ruled out with a serious knee injury.