REACTION: "The Boys Showed Great Courage" - Payne On Pens

DANTE BAPTISTE was rightly hailed a hero by his fellow Wealdstone players after pulling off the penalty shootout save that sees the club through to the semi-finals of The Isuzu FA Trophy for the first time in eight years - but Interim Manager Danny Payne initially focused his praise on the spot-kick takers.

"I've always got faith with penalties because of how good our goalkeeper Dante is at shot-stopping, but I thought the boys showed great courage and togetherness with their kicks," beamed Payne, who will now revert back to his First-Team Coach role under incoming managerial appointment Gary Waddock.

"Six from six; I felt like we were really composed when it came to the penalties.

"We dug deep today. It was a horrible game to watch and it wasn't a footballing performance from us - but in many ways we planned for that."

Hosts Kidderminster Harriers pressed high, worked hard and made it difficult for an open game of football to break out; all factors Payne and Stones' coaching team had prepared the player for.

He explained: "They're very effective with what they do so we had to show a different dimension to us today.

"I didn't think we got it quite right first half, but we made a couple of tweaks at half-time and we were much better at landing on second balls after the break - even though it didn't lean to us having possession long enough to create any good chances.

"It's a cup game, though, so you have only 90 minutes to get it done. It can't be part of a longer plan of games."

Delighted to be ending his interim spell with a league win and a knockout triumph, Payne is now looking forward to what next week holds.

"It's now over to the new gaffer Monday morning!" he smiled, relieved to be stepping back from what he described as a "stressful but enjoyable few days".

"I had a great time working under Sam and I've got a good relationship with the players - and now I'm really looking forward to working with Gary.

"I've met him a few times now and had some good conversations.

"He's got some brilliant ideas - and the experience he'll bring to us from this level and above will be great for our group.

"It's been a great experience this week, and I'm happy to have been able to help the club, but I can breathe a little bit now!"