HULLBRIDGE Sports manager Rob Hodgson said no-one should ever write off his team after they upset the odds to defeat high-flyers Norwich United in the FA Vase.

Sports needed extra-time to secure their place in the third round, with a superb free-kick from Sam Taylor enough to see them past the unbeaten leaders of the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division.

Norwich had won 15 of their 17 league games, drawing the other two, and were strong favourites to progress, although it will be Hullbridge that host another of the Eastern League’s teams in the next round – Stanway Rovers.

And Hodgson said he was proud of what his players had achieved.

“We love this competition and we have shown over the last few years you shouldn't right us off,” he said, referring to last season’s win over AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

"Norwich were a strong, physical side but we went with a plan and it paid off. Norwich may walk their league, but they weren’t going to walk over us and our grit, determination and team spirit got us the result.

“Only the travelling supporters and the team know how big this result is as they saw a true underdog’s battle.”

Minus four first-team players, Sports were indebted to goalkeeper Jamie Merrells, who started the season as third choice stopper, for a brilliant point-blank save to keep the scores level heading into half-time.

The teams were plunged into darkness at the start of the second period after a floodlight failure but that was soon resolved and Sports were the team setting the pace.

Luke Hornsley and Charlie Little went close, although Norwich hit the bar in the second-half.

But when the goal came it was worthy of winning any match.

Taylor stepped up and curled a left-footed shot around the wall and into the net to give Sports the win.