Lyndon Buckwell admits the scent of FA Vase glory has captured the imagination at Merland Rise - and the Epsom boss has welcomed the added pressure.

Epsom & Ewell moved into the last 32 of the competition with a thrilling 3-2 win at Wellington on Saturday, Kyle Hough converting an extra-time penalty to secure triumph.

And with a trip to Eagle Bitter United Counties Premier side Long Buckby up next, Buckwell reveals talk of Epsom’s 1975 losing trip to Wembley has filled the clubhouse.

He said: “I always get reminded that the club made it to the first FA Vase final in 1975, but has pretty much done nothing since.

“The supporters are always telling me they want a run in the FA Vase, and now we are giving it to them.

“You stay pretty calm about the early rounds but then when you get to the last 32, like we have, you start to think ‘hang on a second’.

“All the teams are from our level after all so there is nothing we should be afraid of.

“Yes it is another away tie but in a way I prefer those as with a long coach journey the players are much more switched on to the game.”

Hough and Robbie Burns gave Epsom the lead at the weekend, but they had to withstand a Wellington fightback, which included Paul Borg saving a last-minute penalty to ensure a 2-2 draw.

With the game going to extra-time, the visitors reasserted themselves and Hough’s late spot-kick heroics saw them through.

Buckwell added: “It was a great game and a good overall performance.

“When they came back to 2-2 and got the pen I was annoyed as I thought all that way there to lose to a dodgy penalty.

“But Paul made a great save and then we got a dubious penalty of our own, and it was fantastic to come away with a win.”

Epsom & Ewell’s next three matches: Dec 12 Egham Town (h), 15 Banstead Athletic (h), 19 North Greenford United (a)