A somewhat patched up Spalding United avoided a potential FA Cup banana skin with a 2-0 win over Hanley Town on Saturday.
Tulips manager Jimmy Dean acknowledged the side from two levels below made it difficult for his changed team.
But he insisted the reason for the changes were due to injuries.
The free scoring Bart Cybulski was one of those injury concerns which meant Dion Sembie-Ferris played in the number nine role.
It was he who put his side in front 17 minutes from full time, diverting home Ben Fowkes’ centre from the right.
Spalding’s place in the next round was only confirmed with a minute to go when it was Fowkes’ turn to be on the end of a ball in and to fire home.
“Hanley Town gave a fantastic account of themselves and made it really difficult for us,” said Dean. “They didn’t sit back, they came out on the front foot and four or five times had an overload on the transition and that’s because they were committed to winning the game.
“They deserve huge respect for that.
“We were a little bit sticky, disjointed and off it.
“I wasn’t being disrespectful making the changes. I’ve five big players unavailable and I would have picked them if they were available because the FA Cup is a priority.
“Ultimately it’s a 2-0 win and I’m happy to get through.”
Dean said that both Jack Roberts and Liam Moore were on the bench due to injury worries, the former having to come on to win the game, despite needing a scan.
He told the club’s media that Tosin Olopade is out until Christmas and Maniche Sani out for a couple of months.
“They are huge misses but it’s why we have a squad.
“Players have come in and got two wins.
“We do look a bit disjointed if I’m honest but hopefully we’ll get a side together that’s competitive to get a result at Chorley on Saturday.”
One of those who has stepped up is Fowkes following the injury to Yusify Ceesay.
“He’s been a revelation,” said Dean. “He plays the role differently to Ceesay but he has been just as effective, which is a huge compliment to him.”
Cybulski’s absence was why Sembie-Ferris was playing up front.
“Dion’s been telling me forever he plays the number nine well and when his pace started to go about four or five years ago I probably should have looked at it earlier,” Dean continued. “He’s not slow, but he’s just not as quick as he was when he was 21/22.
“He’s somewhere between a right back and a centre forward at the minute, but, wherever we play him, he’s superb. His link up play was superb.
“Our movements were a little bit out at times against Hanley, but when it’s good we can make the most of Dion’s skillset as a number nine and that’s when you see the best in him.
“He’s an unbelievable asset for the football club and we’re lucky to have him
“He’s so versatile as he’s got such a good football brain.
Spalding also gave home debuts to Tionne Critchlow-Woyo and Dan Barton.
Tionne is on loan from Coventry, the 18-year-old having impressed in a pre-season friendly against the Tulips.
Barton, 21, has played 16 times in League One for Cambridge United, though he’s received little playing time recently.
The Tulips will travel to Bury Town in the next round of the cup on Saturday, October 3, but before that there’s a trip to Chorley in the National League on Saturday.
“That’s an acid test at this level,” Dean said. “They’re a good side with a great manager.
Tulips: Crook, Critchlow-Woyo, Kelly Fox, Johnson, Bendle, Barton, Byrne, Sembie-Ferris, Jarvis, Betteka. Subs: Wilks, Sani, Pugh, Moore, Fowkes, Roberts Straughan-Brown.
Attendance: 588.
