Marine manager Neil Young was full of praise for his side as they prepare for their FA Cup replay with National League Wrexham tomorrow (October 19).
The winners will progress to the FA Cup 1st Round proper, with a trip to League Two Harrogate Town on the horizon.
Currently fourth in the Northern Premier League West Division, Marine have built a reputation over the past two years for excelling in the FA Cup.
They famously reached the third round last season, facing Premier League Tottenham Hotspur.
Young says he is delighted with his team’s performance, but was baffled by some of the referee’s decisions in the 1-1 draw with Wrexham on Saturday (October 16).
Wrexham’s equaliser came after the away side were awarded a free kick, which was excellently converted by Jordan Davies.
He said: “I thought we were the better team, we limited them to very little.
“In general, I don’t think Bayleigh [Passant] had a save to make.
“Then the referee gets involved. It’s a free kick to us, he pointed one way then changed his hand and pointed the other way.
“Referees change games unfortunately and we’ve seen another one.”
Tuesday will mark the Mariners’ 18th game of the season, with Young dissatisfied with the fixture congestion his squad have faced.
Young said: “People say that it’s the same for both sides, but that doesn’t make it right.
“At the end of the day it’s about the welfare of the players. The fans want to see the best they possibly can too.”
Tomorrow night’s replay will take place at the Optimum Pay Stadium, home of Nantwich Town, as Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground is currently undergoing maintenance.
Phil Parkinson, Wrexham manager, admits his team did not meet expectations, but insists he is looking forward to the challenge that the replay will bring.
He said: “It was always going to be a tough game, very competitive all over the pitch.
“Cup football is littered with games like this, where you come to difficult places and it’s not pretty.
“We couldn’t play how we would like to play, but you’ve just got to do what you can to make sure you’re in the hat for the next round and that’s what we’ve done.”
In team news, Marine will hope to be boosted by some returns, with midfielder David Lynch facing a race to be fit.
Marine boss Young will be hoping that defensive duo David Raven and Danny Shaw navigated the game without injury, as both have struggled with tight hamstrings in recent weeks.
For Wrexham, goalkeeper Rob Lainton is expected to miss out on Tuesday, after a collision with Marine captain Niall Cummins left Lainton unconscious and unable to continue.
Christian Dibble, who came on in his place, is likely to deputise once again.
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