Ronnie Fletcher leaves the Urchins while Andy Tomlinson is set to serve three-match suspension after Aveley match this weekend,

Hornchurch boss Jimmy McFarlane hailed his side’s character as they came from behind to beat Farnborough 3-2 in the FA Trophy on Wednesday, and set up an away trip to Grimsby Town in the next round.

A double from Martin Tuohy and Lewis Smith sealed their place in the last 32 of the competition.

McFarlane said: “We started well and were on top for the first 10-15 minutes but once we got our heads in front we switched off and let them back in.

“They dominated the rest of the half but this team has so much character. It would have knocked the stuffing out of most sides but we totally dominated the second half and it was only a matter of time. It could have been five or six.

“Forwards always get the accolades but I thought Joe Anderson was excellent, especially in the first half, while in the second it was more about the whole team.

And the Urchins boss feels the trip to Grimsby will be a great day for everyone associated with the club.

“It is a brilliant tie to have and the whole club is buzzing,” added McFarlane. “Having days like these are great for a club like Hornchurch and everyone deserves it. We will all go there and enjoy it.”

Now McFarlane will prepare his side for a local derby against Aveley on Saturday, knowing his cannot forget about their “bread and butter”.

“Saturday becomes our toughest game and I have made that clear to the players,” he said. “ The league is our bread and butter but all the better sides do is win the not so glamorous games and I know it will be far from easy. I would take a 1-0 right now.

Meanwhile, defender Ronnie Fletcher has left the club to join league rivals Tooting & Mitcham and the whole move has left McFarlane disappointed, especially after Fletcher made his 150th club appearance last Saturday.

“In football you can’t complain if a side comes in with a better offer that they can’t refuse but I don’t like the way things have been done,” he added

“There had to be other factors involved and I am disappointed with Ronnie because he is a player I have given a lot of time too.”

Elsewhere, Andy Tomlinson will serve a three-match ban after his appeal was upheld on his red card received at Colchester in the Essex Senior Cup tie.

“The appeal was turned down, but at the time I didn’t think it was even a foul,” said McFarlane.

“I didn’t see the video until Saturday when the appeal had already gone in as the angle from which the video shows makes it look like Andy did commit the foul. If I had seen it beforehand I would have told them not to bother.”