Ipswich Wanderers manager Glenn Read couldn’t be more proud and pleased with his side’s brave efforts as they bowed out of the FA Cup on Wednesday evening.

Pitted against Ryman Premier Division giants Wingate & Finchley in a First Round Qualifying replay after a superb 2-2 draw in London on Saturday, Wanderers almost pulled off the most remarkable of comebacks on Wednesday as, after being 3-0 down at half-time, they pushed Wingate all the way in a 4-3 triumph for the Londoners.

Seemingly dead and buried at half-time, largely thanks to substitute Rob Laney’s scruffy brace in quick succession as well as Carl McCluskey’s 44th minute strike, Wanderers came out all guns blazing in the second half and with no signs of fear as goals from Craig Jennings, Ross Myhill, and Jack Severy set up a nervy ending for Wingate, a side who ply their trade two leagues above Wanderers.

“I’m really proud of the guys,” said Read, post-match.

“I thought that we showed what we’re made of in the second half.

“We showed a lot of character and a lot of passion, and I thought we asked a lot of questions of them.”

Try as they might, Wanderers couldn’t quite force a fourth goal although they went close on several other occasions after Severy’s 60th minute strike made it 4-3.

Ultimately though, a sloppy first half and poorly-conceded goals cost Read’s side.

“I can’t really say that they’ve scored a good goal,” continued the Wanderers boss.

“I felt that we had the stuffing knocked out of us a little bit, and a few heads dropped.

“It was mistakes that cost us and going in at half-time 3-0 down we’re thinking ah what do we do now?”

Asked what he said to his troops to motivate such a fighting second-half performance, Read responded: “I just said we need to ask questions – it’s about pride now.

“We did mention the Leiston game (an 8-0 defeat in pre-season) and the fact that we don’t want another one of those – to learn from the mistakes that we made there and go out and show a bit of heart.

“They are two levels above us, but we gave it a real good go and I’m proud of the players at the moment, they’ve proven that they have got it in them to keep going and to keep fighting for it.”

Wanderers are back at Humber Doucy Lane tomorrow as they host Kirkley & Pakefield in league action with their game highlighted as one for the Suffolk non-league groundhopppers to attend.

“Kirkley have started quite well then we go to Walsham in the week so the games are coming thick and fast but I wouldn’t say we don’t deserve to be in the top half of the table,” added Read.

“We’ve been playing very well, we maybe need to score a few more goals, but we’re creating chances and we’re looking quite solid.

“We’ve got a good squad of players – it’s not about the 11, it’s about the squad of players.

“We’re looking forward to it, we’re going well at the moment and we’ve just got to keep it going. “