AFC Wimbledon manager Terry Brown paid tribute to Debenham LC after his side's 5-1 FA Cup victory at Maitlands on Saturday.The former Hayes and Aldershot manager was boss at the Shots last season when they beat Haverhill in the FA Cup.

By Mike Bacon

AFC Wimbledon manager Terry Brown paid tribute to Debenham LC after his side's 5-1 FA Cup victory at Maitlands on Saturday.

The former Hayes and Aldershot manager was boss at the Shots last season when they beat Haverhill in the FA Cup. And he had nothing but praise for the Hornets' efforts both on and off the pitch.

“We knew what to expect and we are just delighted to get through,” he said.

“It was all about winning this tie and I would have taken 1-0 if that was all we needed. I didn't think there was much in it in the first half. The pitch is not that wide and we prefer wider pitches, but Debenham battled well.

“The game was all over at the start of the second half, but I'm glad they got their late goal. They deserved it.

“We have been treated with great hospitality here today, just as we were at Haverhill last season.”

Debenham boss Mel Aldis admitted: “It has been quite a week and in some ways I'm glad it is all over.

“I'm so proud of the boys, they kept going to the end. It probably turned out how I thought it would and they were incredibly like the old Wimbledon we know, very direct and with plenty of high balls.”

Hornets' chairman Malcolm Roberts commented: “Mel Aldis deserves so much credit for all the work he has put into this.

“It has just been a great day for the club.”

Debenham strikers Stuart Jopling and Ian Gedny suffered a frustrating afternoon against the big AFC Wimbledon defenders, but at least Jopling had the last laugh with his late penalty.

“Geds (Ian Gedny) usually takes penalties, but he had just taken a knock and so I said I'd take it,” Jopling said.

“I thought there was nothing much in it first half, but if you give sides like this half a chance they will take it. At least the penalty meant it was our fans who were left singing at the end.”

And Gedny added: “We could easily have been given a penalty just before they went up the other end and took the lead. It would have been interesting if we had gone ahead.

“They banged the ball long and hit the channels and it worked for them, a bit like the old Wimbledon used to do.”

Wombles striker and ex-Woking man Steve Ferguson said: “It was a typical cup tie, different to a league game. I'm glad they got a goal, they deserved it.”