Enfield Town manager Bradley Quinton has told his side to embrace the competition after progressing to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Quinton scored for Braintree Town against England number Joe Hart when he was playing at Shrewsbury Town in 2005 and the competition will always hold great memories for him.

Quinton said: “I scored against Joe Hart at Shrewsbury and those memories you will never forget. It’s the best club competition in the world and I just want all the players to go out there and enjoy themselves when they play in it.”

The Towners defeated Ipswich Wanderers 1-0 at home on Saturday. Enfield got off to a bright start and George Brislen-Hall went close but his shot was deflected onto the crossbar. Visiting goalkeeper Jack Spurling was busy enough and he was forced into saving efforts from Harry Ottaway and Jordan Lockie.

But the breakthrough came in the 23rd minute of the tie when Tayshan Hayden-Smith chipped in from the right and Bobby Devyne got the final touch to fire Town into the lead.

The hosts continued to dominate the match in the second half but were unable to add to their lead as the Eastern Counties Premier Division opponents were resilient until the end.

Quinton said: “The guys made hard work of it and I wasn’t too happy at times but getting through to the next round was the important thing.

“Give credit to Ipswich Wanderers because they dug in and never gave up. They came here and got everyone behind the ball which made it difficult for us but ultimately we did what we had to do.”

He added: “There is always that worry if you don’t take your chances that the opposition will get an opportunity at the end because we had enough chances to have won comfortably.”

The Towners will have home advantage in the next round of the competition after being drawn against Southern Premier Division outfit Hitchin Town in the third qualifying round on Saturday, October 10.

Quinton said: “Firstly we are happy to be at home for the game and that’s the main thing.

“Secondly it’s a tie that we are looking forward to as we try to progress further in the competition.

“But we won’t be counting our chickens because we know that they will be up for it just as much as ourselves.”

The Towners return to Ryman Premier Division action tonight at Harrow Borough before hosting Leatherhead on Saturday. 

Quinton said: “We are on a nice run at the minute and it’s been helped by having most of our squad back available again.

“The results are better and we’ve done well of late so with more available it’s meant the players are fighting for their places in the team.”