Kings Langley joint-manager Richie Hanlon believes spirited showings against Northwood in the FA Cup are a “massive positive” and felt his side “competed” against the fifth tier side.

A 1-1 draw at Southern League Division One Central side Northwood on Saturday gave Kings another bite of the cherry at home on Tuesday evening but the Wood progressed with a 3-1 win after extra-time.

Reflecting on the two games, Hanlon said: “They say in one-off games that anyone can beat anyone. You see it in the FA Cup every year but to do it two games running, for us, to match them not once but twice, was a massive positive to take out of it.

“It’s excellent for our players to be able to do that but we had it in our grasp and that is a bit disappointing. To put it another way, we haven’t been beaten over 90 minutes this season.”

Hanlon continued: “We started very strongly on Tuesday night and it was an error that let them back in the games – I won’t name names because it’s not fair. Both teams were then trying to win the game and it was brilliant that even though we lost, we definitely competed.”

Sam Byfield handed Northwood the lead after three minutes on Saturday but the Spartan South Midlands side equalised through Ollie Cox with 15 minutes remaining to force a replay at Gaywood Park.

Ahead through Mitchell Weiss with 15 minutes remaining three days later, Nana Asamoah levelled in the 83rd minute, before Rob Hastings and a Luke Ladyman own-goal secured Northwood’s progress in extra time.

“We brought them back to our place and played very well, unfortunately we lost a goal late on and from there, extra-time was a bit of a non-event,” admitted Hanlon. “I think we edged the game over 90 minutes and until they scored, they weren’t in it.”

Kings return to league action on Saturday (tomorrow), with a visit from neighbours Sun Postal Sports, the side promoted along with Kings last season.

Said Hanlon: “Saturday’s game will be a totally different ball game.

“They did really well last season and won the league and we came second. We won the cup and they didn’t.

“It’s a rivalry and it’s going to be a completely different game.

“It’s a very difficult one because we’re also all friends,” Hanlon continued. “It’s a funny situation because we’re rivals but we’re all friends and we all want to win.

“We’re going to go all out to win and we’ll have to see how it goes.”