Gainsborough Trinity manager Russ Wilcox was full of praise for his side as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to National League side Hartlepool United in the FA Cup.
Trinity took the lead towards the end of the first half in the Fourth Qualifying round fixture as Lewis Butroid’s deft flick turned the ball beyond George Evans in the Pools goal.
The Holy Blues will now require a replay as a moment of misfortune with just under ten minutes remaining saw the ball bounce back off the crossbar and in off David Robson in the Gainsborough goal.
Wilcox said: “The lads were magnificent, we were the better team and should have won and been into the first-round proper.”
Monday’s draw will be the second time in two years that the Holy Blues have been in the first-round draw after a seven hiatus until that point.
On that, Wilcox said: “You’ve got to be proud of the group, not just today but last season as well, it shows how together they are and committed they are.
“The cup run has brought the community together and it shows because it was great turnout today, I think it was 1800.
“There’s lots of positives today but also obviously a tinge of disappointment because they got out of jail, the goal was a good strike, but Robson has made a fantastic save.”
Trinity will now travel to the Victoria Park on Tuesday after they find out their potential first round opponents in tomorrow night’s draw.