Didcot Town manager Gary Elkins is hoping that Richard Peirson will have a change of heart after he decided to retire from the game.
The former Oxford City and Abingdon United defender, 35, called time on his 20-year career after Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup exit at home to Arlesey.
But Elkins said the door was still open for Peirson to return for his third spell at the Division 1 South & West club.
“I’m disappointed to lose him, because he has been a great servant,” said Elkins.
“It’s not just his contribution as a player, but for the example he set on and off the field in what has been a great career.
“I told him I didn’t want him to go. I said he should go away and think about it, but  he wanted to go out at the top.”
Meanwhile, Elkins has a host of injury problems ahead of tomorrow’s second qualifying round trip to Poole Town.
Marcos Belloli-Pereira (ank-le), Lee Henderson (groin strain) and Lance Williams (shin injury) are doubts after going off in Tuesday’s 4-2 win at Evesham leaving them without substitutes and only ten men. Morgan Williams (ankle) had withdrawn late on.
If Belloli-Pereira is unfit, Mauro Ramos De Jesus-Pereira will continue in goal.
Elkins was delighted with the win at Evesham.
He added: “We got an early goal and then a silly back pass let them back in.
“We didn’t work hard enough, so I laid into them at half-time.
“I said ‘Let’s forget about Saturday and put on a good performance’ and to their credit they really worked hard and closed them down.
“It was a good win because they haven’t lost many games and Poole will be just as tough.
“They have been going well, but lost last weekend (4-0 at North Leigh) and drew in the week, so it may be a good time to play them.”