The future still looks bright for Cardiff despite agony of defeat

"Blackpool were the better team on the day and deserved their win," said Bothroyd. "How big is the disappointment? Massive because we've fallen at the last hurdle.

"We're gutted and heartbroken. For the majority of the season we played really well but we didn't turn up (at Wembley).

"You have to give credit to Blackpool. They showed the hunger and they stuck in there and they won the game, so well done to Ian Holloway and their boys."

That was the Cardiff view of a remarkable afternoon, when Blackpool took a 3-2 interval lead they would not surrender.

The Welsh club failed to reach the play-offs last season and were second-best when it mattered most at a sun-drenched Wembley.

Bothroyd limped off after 15 minutes with a calf strain and could only watch on in agony from the stands as Blackpool capitalised on some shambolic defending from the Bluebirds.

The 28-year-old said: "I was helpless after I pulled my calf and I couldn't carry on.

"After we scored the first goal we didn't keep it tight for long enough.

"We're just gutted right now, but we've got a strong squad and have to come back raring to go next season.

"This was a painful lesson but hopefully it will make us stronger next season."

Cardiff left-back Mark Kennedy was similarly gracious in defeat and accepted his side got what they deserved.

"This is probably the worst day of my career," said the former Liverpool player.

"Blackpool deserved their win so congratulations to Ian and his team.

"It's just disappointing for us that in such a big game we gave away poor goals and got what we deserved.

"We got two great goals and then when we went in at half-time 3-2 down I said to one of the staff 'we've just got to sort this out'.

"The goals we conceded were poor, poor goals. There are no excuses and you cannot blame the weather or the pitch."

Manager Dave Jones looks likely to keep his job despite failing to deliver the promotion which could have wiped out the cash-strapped club's debt.

The Malaysian consortium preparing to invest in the club insist they will follow through with their plans to pump cash into the Welsh club.

Cardiff's chairman-elect Dato Chan said after the game: "The moment I stepped into this club I've been committed.

"We will do everything necessary to get to the Premier League."