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DELIGHTED boss Paul Bryon admits there’s a real buzz around Phoenix Sports after they triumphed 11-10 on penalties in a nerve-shredding FA Cup shoot-out against Lancing.

The sides had played out a rip-roaring 3-3 draw in 90 minutes to take Tuesday’s extra preliminary round tie to spotkicks – and it turned into a classic.

Remarkably every single player, including both goalkeepers, scored in the shoot-out until Sports keeper Steve Phillips saved the last Lancing effort to seal a dramatic victory.

“Both benches were stunned by the quality of the penalties,” Bryon told The NLP.

Town finished bottom of the same division with just one win to their name before last season was cut short, though Byron doesn’t believe that has any significance.

“They are going to be a force this year,” he insisted. “They have strengthened massively.

“We will be the underdogs and it will be a really difficult test. As long as it doesn’t go to penalties, I don’t really care!”

But Bryon is an unashamed FA Cup fan and would love to keep their adventure going a bit longer.

“Any time you play an FA Cup game, it’s a special occasion,” said the 53-year-old. “For NonLeague to be part of that is absolutely massive.

“The first two rounds are drawn out together, so we knew we would have East Grinstead if we beat Lancing.

“It would be really special to get through to the next round – you want to be in the hat and see who you get. There’s that excitement, it’s a massive thing for me.”

Byron saw encouraging signs from his troops against Southern Combination Premier side Lancing.

“We had a few new players and our spirit was outstanding,” he added. “The desire to win was brilliant.

“We’ve been playing Chinny up front and he’s been frightening. He’s so quick and defenders can’t let him run at them.

“He missed a couple of chances pre-season, but thankfully he saved his goals for the Cup.”