Tonbridge's mentality was key to their FA Cup success at Hythe, according to manager Steve McKimm.

The Angels never looked troubled during a 2-0 win at lower-league Hythe in the first qualifying round on Saturday.

"It was about nullifying their threats and then it was about us because we've been on a good run," said McKimm.

"You've got to give them respect otherwise people go out and feel that it's easy. I felt that with the actual start we had that was the mental side of it.

"We told (our players) how good they've been, not to get complacent and to go out and do what we've been doing from game one of the season to now. It was our mentality and frame of mind that got that start going.

"You come to a club like Hythe that have got very good technical players, they did well in their league at the end of last season and this season they haven't started too shabby either, so you know you are going to be in for a game.

"The boys were told about their threats and I've got to give my boys credit that they nullified them. It's a credit to the players out there that they got the job done, I can't do any more on the sidelines apart from tactical switches here and there.

"If our mindset isn't right because we're playing a team below then we can come unstuck and I thought we restricted them to minimal (chances). It was a very professional performance away from home."

Tonbridge played a pleasing brand of passing football, with two wingers and an obvious goal threat in Alex Read, who netted a brace to take his season's tally to four.

It's a far cry from 12 months ago when McKimm's Angels were dumped out of the FA Cup at Faversham - although just four of the team that started that day were in the line-up against Hythe.

"I still believe we had 15-20 chances and Faversham had five that day, it was just we didn't take ours and we missed a penalty as well," said McKimm.

"We look more solid now than we did then, the players have brought in to what we're telling them to do.

"At times they don't get it right but they're still learning - if people, managers, players, coaches in football tell you they're not learning then they're lying. It's a work in progress for us but at the moment it's working in our favour.

"We've got a solid foundation but we're creating chances and that's the pleasing thing.

"Even with the games we have won 1-0, we've created numerous chances and just haven't finished them. You look at the quality I brought in, in Alex Read, those two goals were fantastic. He got in where it hurt (for the first goal) and then held out for the second one and no keeper is saving that.

"We've made some good additions but credit to the players and the staff for getting their minds right and putting on a performance like that.

"We told them to keep the ball, keep moving it and work their legs, and the second goal typified that.

"We've gone from the middle of the pitch to the left, back to the middle, then out to the right, down the wing, got a cross in and we scored.

"If I look at it, that's eight to 10 passes and if your players keep doing that and buy into it you're going to wear teams out. You win the battle and then you trust your ability as a player."

Angels go into Monday's second qualifying round draw which will see teams from National League South also enter.

Asked who they prefer, McKimm responded: "Anyone - we want a cup run.

"It doesn't matter who we get, we'll just approach it the same as anyone would and hopefully get a result."

Click here to read Hythe manager Sam Denly's reaction to the game

Click here to read the match report