Proud captain Symons praises APIA team-mates after FFA Cup exit

APIA Leichhardt captain Sean Symons looked to the positives of a memorable campaign after their entertaining FFA Cup run came to an end in the Quarter Finals.

The home side paid the price for failing to convert second-half pressure into goals as they eventually fell to a 2-0 defeat to Adelaide United on Wednesday night.

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An intense spell saw Symons go close to breaking the deadlock with a shot that deflected off the crossbar, while Tasuku Sekiya draw a sharp near-post save from Paul Izzo.

Craig Goodwin's thunderbolt turned the tide on 71 minutes and Mirko Boland soon doubled the advantage to ultimately a tight contest.

Symons reflected on the missed chance as a rare disappointment in a season which has included a Grand Final appearance in NPL New South Wales and sensational FFA Cup upset of Melbourne Victory.

"We were building the pressure," the skipper told Fox Sports.

"The longer we were in the game the more we believed we could get a goal. Just one of them wouldn't go in in the end.

"It's been a great season for the boys. Especially with all the players we've lost and such a thin squad.

"To get this far in the cup and the league, I can't be prouder of the boys."

APIA's run to the Quarter Finals in 2018 is their best result in the competition's five-year history.