WHITE Tigers' boss, Lee Hodges, has given his verdict on our Emirates FA Cup progression at the expense of AFC Portchester as we ran out 2-0 winners to set up a third qualifying round home tie with AFC Sudbury.
"I am really pleased that we made it through," he admitted. "It was one of those days, with a heavy pitch and lower League opposition with nothing to lose, that could have caught us out, but we got the job done.
"We didn't play particularly well on the day, to be fair. It was an even contest for the large part; we created the better chances but switched off at important times.
"The substitutes made the difference in the end and it is fantastic to be through to the next round.
"Sometimes it's about getting through rather than the performance, and this was one of those occasions.
"We now have another home tie in the next round against AFC Sudbury who are a couple of levels below us.
"We'll be favourites but we know from the experience of Saturday how difficult it will be and we'll have to make sure that our attitude and work-rate is right.
"This club has never been beyond this stage of the competition, so it's a chance to create some history. We are overdue a run in this competition.
"Before that, though, we have important League business to concentrate on with a trip to an East Thurrock side who are unbeaten so far this season at the weekend.
"As such its going to be a difficult test for us, but one that we are looking forward to. We're on a roll at the moment and it will be two in-form teams going head-to-head, so it makes for a good game in prospect."