On paper it looked like a hammering, but it spoke volumes about the nature of AFC Totton's 3-0 FA Vase win over Moneyfields that Stags' boss Stuart Ritchie spent the bulk of his post-match interview praising the opposition!

Arguably Portsmouth outfit Moneyfields didn't deserve to be beaten, let alone be buried under a barrage of goals from Kevin Reacord, Floyd Hamodu and Lee Stevens.

But if Saturday's all-Sydenhams Wessex tie proved anything, it's that league leaders Totton have something in common with all good trophy-chasing sides - namely the ability to grind out a result even when they're playing poorly.

"It was a struggle," Totton boss Ritchie admitted, after watching his side make hard work of progressing into the last 32.

"Moneyfields are a decent side and I thought they should have had a penalty in the first ten minutes when Nicky Wyatt went down under Ross Bottomley's challenge.

"They had the ball in good areas but, as one of their lads said as they were coming off the pitch, their problem is that they can't score goals."

Having made light work of crushing title rivals Gosport Borough 4-1 in the last round, Totton might have assumed that mid-table Moneyfields would be an easier proposition.

Not so said the realistic Ritchie, who had cautiously predicted that, even without their two most experienced defenders, the suspended Kevin Murphy and Guy Rutherford, the Money men would make life as uncomfortable as possible for the Stags.

"Whereas Gosport got a bit loose defensively against us, Moneyfields stuck to their system and, at 2-0, I was worried they were going to sneak one," he confessed.

"Their midfield looked useful and their defence handled (Totton dangerman) Mark Osman quite well.

"I was happy with the result, but I'll willingly hold my hands up and agree that Moneyfields didn't deserve to lose 3-0."

For Wendy Gee's full match report from the FA Vase tie, and a comprehensive round-up of all the weekend's local non league football, don't miss today's Daily Echo