WESTBURY United joint-manager Joe Kirkpatrick praised his team for "digging in" after they came from behind three times to reach the FA Vase second qualifying round with a 5-3 at Cowes Sports last weekend, writes SAM HILL.

United travelled 77 miles by coach and ferry for their first qualifying round tie on the Isle of Wight, with goals from Callum Demkiv and Ricky Hulbert eventually deciding the contest in the Toolstation League Premier Division side's favour.

Kirkpatrick, who manages the team alongside his father Neil, said: “We don’t usually travel that far for fixtures.

“We arrived in good time and had a good warm-up. The energy levels from the team were right up there as they always are, so we were happy on that front.

“We never really got going in the first half, but we were still in the game, so credit to the boys for digging in.

“Cowes were the better side in the first half with a couple of well-worked goals and a wonder strike from distance.”

Westbury faced a difficult task going into the second half 3-2 down, having already equalised twice through Jamie Jordan and Demkiv.

But their tactical changes paid dividends late on, though, as they equalised for the third time in the 86th minute – Hulbert the scorer with a clinical finish inside the box – before going on to win the match in extra time.

“In the second half, we came out and really controlled the game. I thought we were quite unlucky not to win the game in normal time," said Kirkpatrick.

“Going behind three times and coming back isn’t easy, but our heads never dropped.

“It just shows what type of group we have. Last season, it was a game we probably would have gone on to lose.

“It was very pleasing to see, it’s a great competition to be in. The boys dug in deep and delivered the result we were after.”

Westbury will travel to Petersfield Town in the second qualifying round on Saturday, September 15, but before that turn their attentions to the FA Cup this weekend when they are away at Bitton in the first qualifying round.

Warminster Town also made progress in the Vase with a 2-0 win at county rivals Devizes Town last weekend, with Jake Wright and George Butler on target.

A solitary Mark Dolman strike was enough to see Corsham Town through as they earned a 1-0 win at home to Laverstock & Ford.

Warminster will travel to Romsey Town or Bridport in the next round, while Corsham face a trip to Fareham Town.

Bradford Town moved up to fifth in the Toolstation League Premier Division table on Saturday after Will Hailston's brace secured a 2-1 win at home to Shortwood United.

Hailston rejoined the club from Frome Town last week along with Dan Cottle.

The Bobcats are back at Trowbridge Road again this weekend when they host Brislington.