Last updated at 15:30, Monday, 01 February 2010

Workington Reds boss Darren Edmondson admitted his players are daring to dream about a trip to Wembley after they marched into the FA Trophy quarter-final.

Workington players and staff celebrate their 3-2 win

A 100-strong travelling army of fans watched Edmondson’s side progress into the last eight of the FA Trophy – their best-ever performance in the competition.

Former Football League clubs Oxford United and York City are among the other clubs who are also in the quarter-finals, but Edmondson revealed his players now fear no one.

The former Carlisle United defender said: “The players are very excited, and the run in the competition has given them a lot of confidence.

“We’re two games away from the final so we have to be positive, but I will have to bring the players back down to earth as we have to focus on the league.

“It would be good to have a home tie in the next round or it would be nice for the players to face someone like Oxford, who have a great, purpose-built stadium and about 6,000 fans.

“Getting into the quarter-final of a national competition is a great achievement and the players can feel very proud.

“It is testament to the players who have worked so hard in the last two rounds and shown a lot of mental strength.”

Workington collected £7,000 for winning the game and could net a similar amount from a share of Saturday’s gate receipts.

Reds battled back from going 2-1 down against their Blue Square Premier opponents after a controversial penalty.

Two goals in the final nine minutes secured Reds victory when Jonny Wright hit his second of the game and then Shaun Vipond claimed the winner.

Edmondson added: “The scoreline looks a close result but we were pretty comfortable.

“I was disappointed over the penalty. Every time we went forward we looked like causing them problems.”

First published at 15:28, Monday, 01 February 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk