WESTFIELDS manager Sean Edwards hailed his side's character after they beat Highgate United 4-2 to reach the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history.

Late goals from Kane Kahaki and Ben Miller saw Westfields progress after it looked like the game was heading to a replay.

"To be fair, it was a tough game and it could have gone either way," said Edwards.

"They were a good side and they probably deserved a replay.

"Richard Greaves got injured in the first half and [Jamie] Molyneux in the second half, while Aidan Thomas, who had been ill all week, had to come off.

"They are three of our attacking players, but we kept going.

"The lads stick together and are in the habit of winning games."

There was a confrontation between the two benches after Kahaki made it 3-2, but Edwards said it was just 'handbags'.

"We celebrated and they took offence to that," said Edwards.

"It was just a bit of handbags.

"We scored late on so celebrated and they were disappointed.

"But we may have done the same if they had scored."

Highgate took an early lead when Connor Mooney hit a fierce shot past Keiron Blackburn in the Westfields goal.

However, Westfields hit back when Richard Greaves got an end of an excellent cross from Sam Archer-Plane.

The home side then snatched the lead when Molyneux fired home after being set up by Thomas.

The second half was end-to-end stuff, with Molyneux shooting wide and Thomas hitting a post for the home side.

Highgate drew level when former Hereford United player Josh Hawker scored from the penalty spot.

But it was Westfields who progressed to the next round thanks to an 89th minute Kahaki header from Craig Jones' free kick and a stoppage time goal from Miller.

Westfields play Highgate again on Wednesday in the Midland Football League Premier Division.

"We'll see if we get everyone fit for it, but Sirdic Grant will probably have to miss out because he has college football on Wednesdays," said Edwards.