Nicky Southall felt nothing but pride at the end of Lordswood’s history-making FA Cup run.

Southall’s Southern Counties East side, playing in the second qualifying round for the first time, lost 1-0 at home to Sittingbourne of Isthmian South East.

But it was a time for celebration after an FA Cup campaign to remember, culminating in a record crowd of 745 at Martyn Grove and an appearance on live TV.

Southall wasn’t sure how his players would react after losing 5-0 to Faversham in the league on Tuesday night.

But they cleared their heads to push higher-division opponents all the way in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, losing to Henry Sinai’s 62nd-minute header from a corner.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of my players,” said Lords boss Southall.

“We took a really good team in Sittingbourne - strong, athletic, a lot of pace and a lot of height - right to the wire and that’s what I wanted to do.

“For me, it looked like being a replay.

“The only disappointing thing is their smallest player has scored the goal. We forget to mark one of the smallest players in the box, who’s just as lethal as a tall player.

“But, overall, I’m really delighted with the performance, especially after Tuesday to take a really good team to the wire.

“It isn’t easy coming off a 5-0 defeat. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know if they were going to sulk or who was going to turn up.

“But we had a game plan, we went into a mid-block in terms of defence.

“I didn't want to play too high a line so they can drop balls over the top because they’ve got speed and quality.

“And I didn’t want to just sit on the edge of the box, because one mistake or a deflection or somebody switches off and it’s in the back of the net.

Report: Lordswood 0-1 Sittingbourne

“So we went for a mid-block in a 4-4-1-1 and the two wide players got in nice and early and helped the full-backs out, and on the flipside we went and caused them problems.

“We probably had the best chance of the first half where we headed over the bar.

“The goalkeepers haven’t made too many saves. It was definitely a draw for me. Even their manager said we were terrific.

“From where we were against them in pre-season to now (the Brickies winning a friendly 4-0), it’s a massive difference.

“I’m not down at all, I’m really pleased.

“It was a good cup tie, hard-fought, and we took it right to the end.

“To get a record crowd, and play in front of the BBC cameras, the boys have to pinch themselves.

“From when we arrived in December to where we are now, it’s miles apart, so all credit to my staff and the chairman and vice-chairman and everyone behind the scenes.

“We’ve even got brand-new nets for the TV, so that’s one positive, we just didn’t score!”