It was a case of so close but yet so far for Martyn Waghorn on Bank Holiday Monday.
The ex-Rangers forward was bidding to help Derby County to the Premier League via the Championship Playoff final.
However, it was Aston Villa who earned themselves top-flight status with a 2-1 victory at Wembley.
Waghorn got a touch on an already goal-bound Jack Marriott shot to give his side a chance with nine minutes of normal time remaining, but they were unable to find a further goal which would have forced extra time.
“It’s hugely disappointing to lose the game having got this far in a season where we’ve had our highs and lows,” Waghorn told RamsTV. “To come up short hurts a lot.”
“But as a team, we’ve come on so much. I’m so proud to play for this club and to be part of what we’ve done this year. What we’ve got as a team is something special and I thoroughly enjoy coming into work day in, day out as it’s fun and enjoyable. It’s hard too, but I’ve learned so much and I can’t wait to get back and go one better next season.”
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A bitter pill to swallow for the 29-year-old who netted 14 times for Derby this season.
He’s under contract until 2021 at Pride Park, though, so he still has several promotion charges left in him yet.
