Whoever is responsible for updating the history books at Witham Town Football Club will be kept busy tonight after their players added a new passage in the FA Cup chapter.

A 2-1 win at Needham Market means the club will find its name in the fourth qualifying round draw for the first-ever time.

Witham trailed to their Suffolk hosts at half-time after conceding a penalty in the opening 45 minutes, but their spirit shone through after the break and goals by Tom Wraight and James Stevens ensured history was made.

Assistant manager Brad King said: “You don’t realise what the prize money means to a club like Witham – we needed that and to be in the hat for the (fourth qualifying round) draw is amazing.

“It means so much to us all as a club.

“You want to win every game but this is particularly special for the club and the players deserve all the plaudits.”

Witham Town boss Garry Kimble said before the game he feared a hostile reception for his team at Needham after an acrimonious encounter in the Ryman League division one north play-offs last season.

Needham had taken exception to Witham playing Lee Townrow in a play-off game when he had been on loan at Town from the Suffolk club, but King said the Cup game was played in good spirit.

He added: “There was nothing at all and I was really pleased to see that it was all water under the bridge.

“(Needham manager) Mark Morsley shook our hands and nothing was mentioned.

“It was great that it was played in a good spirit and full credit to Needham because they were totally gracious in defeat.

“It was two good sides looking to play football for their clubs.”