VCD boss Martin Ford admitted he was not expecting to win the FA Cup replay against Eastbourne Town.

Ford said: "It was one of those games we did not expect to win as we were massively depleted by injuries, suspensions and holidays.

"Danny Hunt and Kevin Winchcombe could barely walk before the game but we got them through a fitness test and onto the pitch.

"Alan Hughes was making his debut in goal, Steve Hogg was playing his first game in midfield, Stuart Abbott was playing his first full game and Terry Barry had just returned from holiday.

"The whole team were magnificent out there and they deserve it."

He added: "We were determined not to change the shape of the side and pull players here and there and in the end it was a similar game to Saturday when we scored and they threw everything at us.

"They are a determined bunch of lads who have played together for a long time, they go out together and are a close-knit family in a way.

"So when our backs were against the wall everyone works hard for everyone else even though they were suffering, lesser players would have walked off the pitch."

Stuart Abbott scored the only goal of the game to send Ford's side to Bashley in the next round.

Ford said: "Bashley is going to be another difficult game as we're going to be more depleted than ever.

"Kevin Winchcombe and David Hunt are on holiday and so we're down to the bare bones.

"I doubt we will have a full squad until the end of November. The problem is, if I am going to sign a player they have to be better than what I already have and then it would be unfair on my men, "I don't feel I can sign players to cover the injuries as I would be telling them after a few weeks we don't want them anymore.

"As a level five club we cannot loan players which is what we really need to do."