Leatherhead boss Richard Brady had a plan A ready when the FA Trophy tie against Canvey Island reached penalties – but the fact his Tanners converted six out of six to win was due to plan B.

Keirnan Hughes-Mason bagged a brace in the 2-2 draw at Fetcham Grove on Wednesday night to send the tie to spot-kicks.

And it fell to Louis Wells to save the Gulls’ sixth effort, leaving Femi Akinwande to send Tanners into a second qualifying round tie at Whyteleafe on November 15.

While Brady was pleased to pocket the £2,700 in prize money, he admitted there was little relief in the win overall.

“It is such a fine line when it comes down to penalties, and we’ve now won promotion to the Ryman Premier and got through this tie on penalties,” he said.

“But to me it is not so much about relief, it is more about the positives that come from winning.

“There was a good feeling around the ground today [Thursday], and we’ll take that into the Lewes game this weekend.

Match report: Leatherhead 2-2 Canvey Island

“We could easily have been on a downer, and I genuinely have sympathy for Canvey because they have taken a big blow and it is no way to lose a game.

“They put out a strong side while we were missing a few names, we’ve gone through, they’ve gone out, all on the lottery of penalties.

“The lines between success and failure are so thin.”

He added: “The penalties were superb. Until Louis saved one, the keepers did not get near any of them.

“But it’s funny – I have a psychological approach to penalties when it comes to selecting who takes one.

“I step to one side, and let whoever wants to take one to put their hand up. But last night only two did it, so I had to select them myself.

“When we had penalties in the play-off final, I had seven volunteers, and last night only two – go figure.”

Brady has recruited Dean Pooley from Conference Premier Dartford on a month’s loan as cover for the injured Jerry Nnamani.