Leiston manager Mark Morsley says his side's run in the FA Cup proves they are capable of pushing for promotion from the Ridgeons Premier League.

The Blues lost 3-2 to Blue Square Bet South side Dartford in a fourth qualifying round replay on Tuesday.

Morsley told BBC Radio Suffolk: "Our first priority at the club is to get promoted this year.

"We've got a decent squad of players, proven by how we've done in the FA Cup against a team three rungs above us."

The Blues are fifth in the Ridgeons Premier Division, 17 points behind leaders Dereham, but with seven games in hand.

They travel to Stanway Rovers at the weekend looking for their ninth league win of the campaign.

I desperately wanted us to get one of the goals we deserved because I think it would have changed the pattern of the game Leiston boss Mark Morsley

"We've got to keep our feet on the ground, concentrate on what we're doing and get our heads together for Saturday when we need to get three very important Ridgeons League points," Morsley added.

Leiston were behind after three minutes against the Darts and from that point onwards were unable to turn around the deficit.

"We were shell-shocked, for 20 minutes we were being battered," Morsley admitted.

"We changed to three at the back and three up front and then I thought Dartford were all at sea.

"I desperately wanted us to get one of the goals we deserved because I think it would have changed the pattern of the game."

Morsley's men are still in the FA Vase and travel to Royston Town on Saturday, 13 November.

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