Stanway Rovers boss Angelo Harrop has admitted the vociferous St Austell crowd played a huge part in helping dump his side out of the FA Vase at the weekend.

Rovers were beaten 2-0 in front of 900 fans in Cornwall.

It was always going to be a tricky fifth round tie for Stanway and their hopes weren’t helped when goalkeeper Daniel Beeson was sent off in the 39th minute after an altercation with St Austell striker Liam Eddy.

However, although it didn’t help matters, Harrop had no excuses – and paid tribute to the home fans.

“The crowd played a huge part in their victory,” he said.

“It was unbelievable to see almost 1,000 people in the ground and they were all baying for St Austell to win.

“St Austell got it right. The pitch was poor, they were very physical. That’s what the Vase is all about and it was a big lesson for our players and I learned a lot about many of them.”

Stanway made a weekend of their trip west but in the game itself were reduced to nine-men after Beeson’s sending off – Dan Slatter being the second Rovers man to see red late in the game – Rovers were already two-down.

“The referee spoiled it in my opinion, sending off our ‘keeper in the way he did,” Harrop said.

“Yes, he went face to face with their lad, but it wasn’t a sending off.

“It doesn’t matter what level of football you play, you need 11 players on the pitch. From that moment onwards, the game was really out of our hands.

“But it was a fantastic experience for my team and I’m proud of their efforts, but they will also know we didn’t really turn up for the game.”

Stanway return to Thurlow Nunn Premier Division action tonight, travelling to Ipswich to face Ipswich Wanderers at Humber Doucy Lane.

There will be a fair-sized crowd at the Doucy, but nothing on the scale of the 900 at St Austell.

“I’m pleased we have put Stanway Rovers back on the map with this FA Vase run,” Harrop added.

“But we need to kick on now and forget the Vase, it’s promotion in the league we want and Ipswich Wanderers will be a very tricky test for us.”