DANNY Scopes hailed his history-makers after leading Concord Rangers into the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

The Beach Boys are already enjoying their best ever run in the competition, having never reached the third round before, and a penalty shoot-out success after a 2-2 draw with National League North side Leamington sparked wild celebrations at the Aspect Arena.

Boss Scopes is bursting with pride as Concord are one of just eight sides remaining in the FA Trophy.

“Concord Rangers being in the last eight of a national competition sounds good to me,” said Scopes, who took charge in May.

“If you had asked me when I was given the manager’s job and had two players in the squad - with one them being my assistant manager - I wouldn’t have expected that.

“I would have ripped your arm off to get into this position and, from day one, I knew this group had good characters.

“We could see that in pre-season and that is what we want to work with.

“We felt we could mould them and give them the opportunities to play at this level.

“They have taken it with both hands and credit to them because a lot of people wrote them off at the start and when we lost five games in a row.

“But you don’t get to the last eight of a national competition unless you have a bit of substance, grit and determination.

“I felt that showed and we can play as well. We can do a bit of both, which I’m really pleased about.

“They’re the traits of my team, as a manager, and what I want to see on the pitch.”

Although Lamar Reynolds gave Concord a fifth minute lead, Stephen Morley took the contest to extra-time with a ferocious long range volley.

James Blanchfield restored the Beach Boys’ advantage only for Leamington, who saw Junior English sent off in the second half of normal time, to equalise again through Callum Gittings.

Jack Cawley, Joel Nouble, Michael O’Donoghue and Decarrey Sheriff converted in the shoot-out and Chris Haigh was the Beach Boys’ hero as he saved Jack Edwards’ attempt, sealing a 4-3 win from the spot.

And the celebratory scenes after Haigh’s all-important save filled Scopes with joy.

“We knew we had to compete with them on the physical side and let our football do the talking,” added Scopes.

“In glimpses, we did and the first goal was excellent. Lamar could have had a hat-trick in the first half and, after not putting them to bed, we gave them a chance to come back into it.

“Credit to them because they made it a real spectacle.

“It was brilliant to see the boys that play for the youth teams, their parents and other young supporters supporting us.

“Seeing the ecstasy and the celebrations at the end was a pleasure.”