Harwich and Parkeston player-manager Mitchell Springett heaped praise on his troops despite crashing out of the FA Cup to full-time side Hornchurch.

Garry Hill's Conference South outfit cruised to a 3-0 win in the second qualifying round at The Royal Oak - thanks to an explosive start which saw them score all of their goals inside 18 minutes.

The Ridgeons League premier division side fell behind after 63 seconds when Wayne Purser headed home Darren Caskey's free-kick.

And Caskey was instrumental in the second goal on seven minutes when he teed-up Lee Matthews.

The game was over as a contest when the third arrived on 18 minutes.

Ex-Southend winger Steven Clark ghosted down the left and his cross was diverted into his own net by the unfortunate Lee Neale.

Springett said: "I'm not too despondant. We didn't embarrass ourselves and picked ourselves up after a poor start.

"It was a good day all round and I couldn't ask any more of my players. Even when we went 3-0 down their heads did not drop.

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