The general manager of Oxhey Jets has “never been more proud of a team than this week” after their FA Cup run ended last night.

The Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side were beaten 8-1 at Kingstonian in their replay at First Qualifying Round replay, the type of result some had feared would happen when the two sides met for the first time on Saturday.

However, Jets achieved what John Elliott described as arguably the greatest result in the club’s history to take the tie to a second game after holding opponents from two steps higher in the non-league pyramid to a 2-2 draw. It was a remarkable result, coming at the end of a week when their manager had resigned and a number of first-team players had followed him out of the exit door.

With former player Andy Lomas, who had stepped in to take the team on Saturday, away for last night’s replay, Jets stalwarts Marc Ayres and Wayne Gladdy were in charge. And they watched on as another makeshift side defended valiantly to keep their hosts at bay until two minutes before half time.

Read more: Arguably the greatest result in Oxhey Jets' history

Kingstonian were able to show their quality after the break and scored seven more as Jets tired, although Sean Giordmaina did score for the visitors seven minutes after the restart.

Jets' general manager reflected: “I could not have been more proud of the players who have committed and given everything they had for the last two games.

“We have held one of the best sides in step 3 who had only conceded two goals this season to one minute short of three halves and popped in three goals.

“Our goal keeper tonight Rob Partington was outstanding, even getting a special mention by the Kings boss in his TV interview.

“Special thanks to two of Jets’ loyal and now Vets players for stepping in and covering the team, Marc Ayres and Wayne Gladdy, and I must mention a special debut for young Nathan Page, our all-time top scorer Gary’s son who came on to equal his dad’s record of playing in the FA Cup."

Elliott added: “In all sports you can judge players on their input and effort and all you can ask of any ability is you give 100 per cent. Over two games my players gave everything they had. There was nothing more to give, the legs had gone. I’ve never been more proud of a team than this week.”