NEWPORT County’s big day out at Wembley may have ended in defeat and disappointment but for one youngster it was still a day to remember.

County’s newest star, Lee Evans, shone brightly at the home of English football, putting in a performance that should cement his place in the heart of Justin Edinburgh’s team for years to come – if the Exiles can keep him out of the claws of the Football League vultures. Edinburgh hinted strongly after another stellar performance at Barrow two weeks ago that the 17-year-old would play in the FA Trophy final.

But the unassuming Hartridge Academy graduate was taking nothing for granted in the build-up to County’s first ever match at Wembley.

“I didn’t think I’d start,” said the Wales under-18s captain.

“I was just happy to be here. Going back a month or two I was nowhere near the team, so just to be here was an achievement, even if I was only on the bench.

“I found out on Saturday morning in the team meeting that I was starting. I was a bit nervous but anyone would be playing at Wembley. It’s what dreams are made of. It’s the best place to play football. There’s nothing better.

“I wasn’t able to speak to my mum and dad before the match but I managed to pick them out in the crowd and give them a wave.

“They are very proud of me and they just told me to play my natural game if I got a start and it’s great for them to see me play at Wembley.”

But, ever the professional, Evans was at pains to point out that his own performance was secondary to the disappointment the whole team felt as York earned a 2-0 victory thanks to second-half strikes from Matty Blair and Lanre Oyebanjo.

“It’s not really about individual performances. We’re all just disappointed. We came here to win and we didn’t achieve that,” he said.

“The manager couldn’t fault our commitment. We worked our socks off but it was the same all season; we didn’t take our chances.

“We dominated before the break but if you don’t put the chances away you get punished.

“They are a good team and we wish them the best of luck for the play-off final next week.”

Evans is hoping that next season will be a big one for him and he is predicting that County will be much improved after a traumatic campaign.

“We’ll all learn from this and come back stronger next year and climb up that league table,” he added. “It’s important that we get a good start to the season, which we didn’t do this year, and who knows where we can finish?

“I’m still trying to get a regular place in the team. All I can do is keep trying to impress and putting in decent performances.

“I’ve just got to keep working hard in training and hopefully I can keep my place.”