SLOUGH Town joint-manager Jon Underwood believes two fantastic goals made the difference in their 2-1 win at Eastbourne Borough in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The Rebels have reached the first round proper for a second consecutive season after victory in the fourth qualifying round tie at Priory Lane.

Slough took the lead thanks to an astonishing goal from Ben Harris inside seven minutes. The striker spotted Mark Smith off his line and lobbed the Eastbourne keeper from inside his own half.

The visitors doubled their advantage in the 58th minute with a fine strike from distance by James Dobson - his seventh goal in as many matches.

Eastbourne pulled a goal back through Alfie Rutherford on 70 minutes, but the home team could not find an equaliser and so Slough progress.

Underwood told the Observer: "We didn't create a lot of chances but I was very pleased with the performance and thought it was a professional one. We did what we had to do in order to get through.

"The early goal from Ben came out of nothing but it was an incredible strike and set us on our way with a little bit of belief.

"We played very well in the first half and got a second goal just before the hour mark with another fantastic strike.

"Eastbourne put some pressure on us and pulled a goal back to make things a little bit nervy, but I felt we were relatively comfortable.

"Eastbourne didn't create lots of chances unlike in the league match when we were under pressure with 10 men.

"We kept our shape very well defensively, solid and organised, and held them at bay.

"We kept them relatively at arms length, which is no mean feat because they're a very good side attacking-wise with some good ex-professional players.

"It was fantastic to watch just because we did the right things at the right times. The maturity within the team has grown so we're able to do that now."

Commenting on the wonder strike from Harris, which many believe to be the best goal in the FA Cup so far this season, Underwood said: "It was a great strike, vision and confidence.

"I said to Neil (Baker, joint-manager) on the touchline that's in you know because he struck the ball so well, and when we saw where the keeper was there was never any doubt.

"No-one was expecting him to do that and we were looking for him to slip a pass through to Matthew Stevens who had made a run.

"Ben is an unpredictable player. You never quite know what you're going to get from him, but he always works hard.

"He's not started many games lately and been a little bit frustrated sat on the bench, but he's taken the opportunity to earn a place in the team with his goal and performance."