Manager Paul West was thrilled after his Evesham United side beat Rushden & Diamonds 2-0 at St George's Lane in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

Two goals from Danny Scheppel helped the Southern Premier Division side beat their Blue Square Premier opponents.

The result means the Robins are in the first round proper for the first time.

"I can't give enough credit to the players - we had a game plan and they stuck to it," a delighted West told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

"The scoreline was the correct one, we played some good stuff and that was what was pleasing."

Scheppel scored in each half, while Evesham kept their nerve when Rushden raised their game early in the second period.

But the former Football League club's cause was not helped when Gareth Jelleyman received a straight red card for a foul.

West, who was awarded a new contract before the tie, said the sending-off had not concerned him, but he felt Rushden played better with only 10 men on the pitch.

"I just felt that we had to score and that would put the cat among the pigeons," he said.

"Over the whole 90 minutes we created good set pieces, you look them in the eyes at the start of the game and after 10 minutes they knew that we meant business."

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