Sunday 13 March 2016 21:58, UK
Slaven Bilic expressed his disappointment after West Ham failed to hold on to victory in their FA Cup quarter-final draw at Manchester United.
The Hammers were within seven minutes of booking their place at a first semi-final in 10 years after Dimitri Payet's exquisite free-kick moved them to within touching distance of a Wembley berth.
But Anthony Martial struck in the 83rd minute to dash the Hammers' hopes and set up a replay at Upton Park. And Bilic admitted it was frustrating to have been so close to victory but not hold on.
"In our dressing room after the game it was kind of silent," he said.
"We are a little but disappointed because we were there the last few minutes and the time when you conceded makes you a little bit down.
"But that is good. It shows you have confidence and are moving in the right direction."
As for Payet's goal, the Croatian added: "I said to myself, 'It was a bit too far, [David] de Gea is there, it has got to be special', and make no mistake it was pure class of magic. It was a perfect goal."
Bilic felt aggrieved with a number of high-profile decisions referee Martin Atkinson made at Old Trafford.
The first saw the Hammers denied a penalty after Marcos Rojo's challenge on Payet went unpunished.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Bilic dismissed suggestions Payet had dived to try to win a penalty.
"A dive? Come on," he said. "If you have a screen, show me, I am going to defend my point at Cambridge if needed. There is more than a contact. It is definitely not a dive."
Bilic also felt goalkeeper Darren Randolph was fouled in the build-up to United's equaliser, where Bastian Schweinsteiger appeared to impede the Hammers stopper.
"It was [a foul]," Bilic added. "I don't want to spoil the game talking about the referees - overall, he did a good job, but there have been a couple of situations, crucial ones that have gone against us."
