Leyton Orient’s players are looking at the “bigger picture” after their FA Trophy final loss yesterday, according to defender Joe Widdowson.

The O’s were defeated 1-0 in the final by AFC Fylde but had already achieved their main aim of securing promotion back to the Football League this season.

Defender Widdowson admitted that while defeat at Wembley hurt the players, they were still proud of their achievements this season.

He said: “The gaffer has instilled a winning mentality since he’s come in and our record of defeats is pretty low. We’re not used to losing and it hurts when we lose, especially in a final like today it’s disappointing. Overall, the bigger picture is that we won the league and that was our main objective. It’s been a very good season for us.

“At the start of the season there was an ingredient there, a hunger and a desire. I think as a group we’ve pushed each other all year, there’s been no let up and we’ve set a great standard. Every day in training with these boys we’re at it and we always had that target in mind of where we want to get to.

“We finished mid-table last season which we knew wasn’t good enough and then from day one in pre-season we knew what the objective was and how hard we’d have to work. We’ve pushed each other on every single day and we’ve just won the league, which is great, and then we’ve just fallen short today three weeks after not playing.

“It’s unfortunate and we’re disappointed but we’re in the Football League next season and that’s all that matters.”