Caretaker Seasiders boss Andy Crump's FA Cup relief after late clincher

Stand in Seasiders boss Andy Crump admitted that at one stage he was dreading having to make the phone call to holidaying manager Stuart Boardley as Felixstowe went through a roller coaster of a cup tie, before ending up 5-3 winners.

It was beginning to look a bit like squeaky bum time when the Seasiders let a 4-1 lead slip and Southend came back to within a goal of forcing a replay, with five minutes of time added on given.

Substitute Miles Powell ensured there was no nightmare scenario for Felixstowe, and Crump though, as he burst through and finished well to calm the nerves with seconds to play.

"My stomach was churning, I have to be honest," admitted Crump. "With the gaffer away and me taking responsibility, it was a bit nervy.

"At 4-1 I'm thinking we are in a good place but to let them back to 4-3 was a bit of a worry. They came and took their chances and made it a really good cup tie.

"The game was stretched bit after that but fortunately Milo took his chance really well and that relaxed us."

Ollie Canfer had put the Seasiders ahead after finishing off good play by Zak Brown and Sam Nunn.

Henry Barley hit a long range effort which deceived the keeper to make it two but the Seasiders conceded a controversial goal when Luca Frankis appeared to kick the ball from keeper Callum Robertson's hands to force the ball home and Manor's confidence grew.

A close range finish from Billy Holland from Powell restored the two goal advantage and when Canker scored Seasiders' fourth with a deft chip and it should have been game over.

But two goals from Southend's Jordan Chambers, following some sloppy defending set up an unnecessarily tight finish before Powell's late clincher.

Crump believed it was less about complacency than the substitutions he made, which led to lapses at the back returning, however it was one of those changes that secured the win.

He said: "We made changes at 4-1 thinking we are going in the right direction.

"We played well for large parts of the game but we allowed them back in it. We gave away far too many free kicks.

"We spoke at half time about keeping the tempo so we can stay on the first foot. But we made some poor decisions defensively and those free kicks cost us as the game went on."

Felixstowe will find out tomorrow (Monday) who they face in the First Qualifying Round on Saturday, September 4, and pick up a useful £1,444 for this victory.

Almost 300 fans watched a pulsating cup tie and Crump is convinced the FA Cup still has its magic.

"You saw towards the end with Josh (Hitter) going on that great run and how much the fans appreciated it," he said. "We have some great supporters here who have an appreciation for the skill and talent we have in the squad.

"They follow us home and away and you can see how much they enjoy the FA Cup as the players do."

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