CONCORD Rangers go head-to-head with Billericay Town tonight as both aim to end their season on a high with Essex Senior Cup success.

The Beach Boys, fresh from a season of chasing the play-offs in the Conference South, saw their dream come to and end on Saturday, with Billericay Town also seeing their top five ambitions go up in smoke at the weekend.

Both will now be aiming to make sure their last hurrah this season comes at Dagenham & Redbridge’s Victoria Road stadium.

And Beach Boys boss Danny Cowley admits defending champions Concord are desperate to retain the trophy, having beaten Braintree Town 2-1 last year.

“We beat Dagenham here earlier in the season and that was the start of a great run for us,” he said, referring to the 14 unbeaten games in league and cup that followed the penalty triumph. “Eight years ago we had to beg Billericay Town for a friendly and now we are where we are and that is testament to everyone at the club.

“If we are favourites that is a compliment to everyone in our dressing as you have to earn that tag.” Three of Concord’s four matches in this year’s competition have ended in penalty shoot-out victories, while Town have also won on spot kicks.

Town boss Craig Edwards has watched his side come back from losing positions to take four points against Margate and Tonbridge Angels in the last week, and he wants his team to make their mark on the final as well.

“We don’t give up,” he said. “Our performance was disappointing on Saturday but the level of character was outstanding.

“We have a never-say-die attitude and this group would benefit so much from a cup win.”

Town won the cup in 2011 and went on to enjoy a successful year in the league, winning promotion to the Conference South.

And Edwards believes a cup win could act as a catalyst for next year.

“This young team can go far. Winning would set us up perfectly for a great year next year, and we will give it our best shot.”

Town are without the ineligible Keaton Wood, Teddy Nesbitt and Joe Wright for the game.

l For match updates, visit www.echo-news.co.uk/sport.