NEEDHAM Market manager Danny Laws paid tribute to the mentality of his side after their impressive win in Blackpool.

Stuart Watson

NEEDHAM Market manager Danny Laws paid tribute to the mentality of his side after their impressive win in Blackpool.

“The spirit and endeavour of my players over those two games was incredible,” said the school teacher.

“They were an absolute credit to themselves and this football club. I cannot speak highly enough of them.

“Before the game I told the boys that they just had to believe because there was no point feeling sorry for ourselves that we hadn't won the first match.”

However, Laws wouldn't be drawn into his side's chances of going all the way to Wembley now that they had knocked out the favourites and holders.

He said: “It's too early to be talking about that. We weren't jumping up and down in the changing rooms afterwards like we'd won the FA Cup because we know there is a still a long way to go until Wembley.

“No-one will praise the players more than me, but we have got to have a reality check. We had a good journey home on Saturday night but it is now back to business with Stanway on Tuesday night and Kirkley at the weekend.

“People will look at our results and see that we are doing well, but unlike AFC Fylde we haven't been to Wembley yet. I've got a lot of respect for Fylde manager Mick Fuller and his assistant Paul Eastwood. There have been four good contests between us now and it has built a respectful rivalry between the two sides.

“They've wished us all the best and I will be looking to take as much as possible from what they have done over the last few years, both on and off the pitch, on board at Needham.”

Danny Laws revealed the “secret weapon” behind his side's win - former Ipswich Town assistant manager Willie Donachie.

Needham left-back Kevin Horlock played under Joe Royle and Donachie during his days at Ipswich and put in a call to his former assistant boss earlier this month to see if he would come in and help at Bloomfields.

Donachie led a cup specific training session on the Thursday night prior to the Needham's 0-0 draw in the first leg. Laws said: “To have someone with Willie's knowledge and experience come in was massive for us. His training session was really inspirational and we carried a few of his words forward into the away game.”