RYAN Ashe says he is still struggling to swallow Sunday's 3-2 FA Cup first round defeat to Rotherham United.

The Wealdstone midfielder scored two crackers and was denied his hat-trick - and a deserved draw - by some stout Millers defending late on.

"I didn't get much sleep on Sunday night", he said. "The most disappointing thing is that we know we could have won the game and while I know there are plenty of positives to take from it I'm trying not to take them on board at the moment. Whether it was 3-0 or 3-2 we still lost the game."

Ashe twice halved Rotherham's two goal advantage but he could be one of several key players rested for Tuesday Ryman League Cup second round clash with Boreham Wood at the Vale. Ashe scored against them in the 4-2 FA Cup second qualifying round win on September and is confident Stones can progress regardless of what team manager Gordon Bartlett fields.

"There are four or five players who weren't involved on Sunday that could come in and do a good job", he added. "We want to do well in every competition and make sure we have something to show for our efforts at the end of the season."

Extensive FA coverage in this week's Harrow Observer and Uxbridge Gazette.