United boss Ray: My players did the town of Hastings proud

The Ryman League minnows won six matches in the world famous competition before bowing out valiantly against Championship high-flyers Boro in a third round tie at the Riverside Stadium.

He said: “I’m so proud of the players because they have done the town proud, the football club proud and themselves proud.

“The amount of grass they covered and the effort they put in, you couldn’t ask for any more. I thought the boys were a credit to the football club.

“First half we were a little overawed and a few nerves did show. But the longer the game went on we grew into it and I thought we deserved that goal. The goal we scored wasn’t the only chance we had as well.”

The 31-year-old was also pleased to get within three goals of a Boro side which is 131 places higher up the football pyramid.

“I’m happy with that,” Ray continued. “You are never happy losing, but I’m happy with the performance of the players and I am happy with the character. We kept going and what support we had as well. The fans were brilliant.”

See Friday’s Hastings Observer for more reaction and a picture special from the big day on Teesside.