JUBILANT manager Mark Yates praised his players' attitude after his severely understrength side overcame Matlock to progress into round two of the FA Trophy.

Yates had to field a patched-up team see off their opponents from the Unibond League thanks to strikes by Robbie Matthews and Chris McPhee.

Harriers were without David McDermott, who was rushed to hospital on Friday, while keeper Dean Coleman had to sit on the bench because of a stomach bug.

With on-loan strikers Damian Spencer and Ryan Charles inelgible to play and Martin Riley suspended, Harriers' small squad was at breaking point.

However, keeper Jasbir Singh, midfielder Nathan Hayward and striker Nathan Hayward jumped at the chance to impress in the first team.

"I am really pleased with the boys' performance because the pitch was really tacky," commented Yates.

"I thought the attitude and start was fantastic, which set the tone for the rest of the game.

"We've been disappointed with ourselves over the last couple of weeks, so I asked for a good start because Matlock have been on a good run.

"They're tough to break down and the pitch was a leveller but we wanted them to face the wrong way, try and play and I thought the boys did fantastically well.

"I told them at half-time to keep creating chances and we just needed that little bit of extra quality.

"I am really pleased with the character the lads showed and the perseverance - we kept trying to do the right thing in tricky circumstances and I am delighted with the dressing room to be honest, because they got behind each other and it was important that we as a squad came through.

"Dean [Coleman] gallantly sat on the bench for me but he had been sick for the last couple of days and David McDermott was rushed to hospital.

"He's had a few problems for the last few weeks and we've trying to sort it out but they will keep him in hospital for a few days, so we hope he makes a speedy recovery.

"We were down to the bare bones and the lads have shown tremendous character and put in a good solid performance.

"From the moment we turned up we showed the right attitude and that's what got us through."

Harriers will discover who they face in the next round of the Trophy on Monday morning.

READ MATLOCK REPORT