Boreham Wood: Luke Garrard on Wembley woe and bouncing back next season

The 'footballing Gods' have spoken and it's Rochdale, not Boreham Wood, who will play in the EFL next season.

The Wood's long-standing boss Luke Garrard was hugely emotional at Wembley after their dramatic penalty shootout defeat by Dale, who came from 2-0 down with 12 minutes remaining to equalise in the dying seconds of added time before winning 3-1 on spot-kicks.

The 40-year-old said he didn't think he could "look his children in the face" after coming so close to ensuring the first promotion to the Football League in the club's 78-year history.

Wood's second promotion final defeat at Wembley comes eight years after their first, when Garrard's side were stung by 10-man Tranmere, though he told BBC Three Counties Radio this defeat hurts even more.

He said: "I thought I liked Wembley but I'm not a fan of it. I've been here twice now and not been victorious.

"It hurts because I felt I was an imposter the last time I was here. I didn't believe we could be successful, I didn't believe we had enough on the pitch to go and win against Tranmere.

"That wasn't the case with this one, so it actually probably hurts a lot more."

Asked to describe his feelings, Garrard said: "Heartache, heartbroken - I don't know what else to say.

"The team have been excellent all season. They have given this club, me, the town, everything all season – I am so proud of the group.

"We've gone 120 minutes for the third time in a row and we go and deliver on a performance.

"The man I am, I am trying to analyse everything but I just need to park it. Unfortunately, the season ended for us today.

"We had one foot in the EFL but it wasn't to be."

Wood finished 16 points behind Rochdale in the 46-game season, losing home and away against Jimmy McNulty's men, who go up to League Two along with York City, against who they fought out promotion until the final seconds of the final day of the campaign.

Garrard added: "The irony of them scoring so late is incredible.

"What they have achieved this season, they deserve to go up with York. If there's footballing Gods, that's what should happen.

"I don't begrudge [McNulty] in any way, shape or form. He's done fantastic this year. The title race was incredible.

"It's the home of football, I thought my team-talk was brilliant, our boys put on a performance and showcased their ability. I am oozing with pride because they are a fantastic group of humans and it upsets me we have been unable to do the job."

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