Delighted Workington Reds boss Dave Hewson praised his troops after they secured progress in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Reds beat Warrington Town 3-0 at Borough Park in the first qualifying round and they put on a great footballing display.

And Hewson said he was delighted his side were finally showing their true form.

"This was just what we were after," he said. "It felt good in the dressing room before the game.

"I knew the lads were going to come out of the traps nice and bright.

I said I wanted to see energy, intensity and enthusiasm in everything that we done and that's what we got from them."

Goals from Josh Calvert, Jake Simpson and Scott Allison saw Reds through and the scoreline could have been wider with the home side creating plenty of opportunities.

Hewson added: "I think we could have scored earlier and probably a lot more.

"No disrespect to Warrington but i think 3-0 could have been four or five."

But it did take until the 36th minute before Reds finally found the back of the net through star man Calvert.

And Hewson admitted he was getting a little worried.

"When you're on top and have such good spells of possession, you just need something to go for you," he added.

"Once we got that first goal it settled us down and the second, just before half time, was ideal and put us right in the driving seat.

"We knew the next goal was crucial and luckily for us it came to us.

"We kept a clean sheet and with the lads we have going forward and coming on we are always going to create chances. Once we got the third goal it was the final nail in the coffin."

Hewson praised the performance of Calvert who was a rock in both defence and attack.

He said he was also delighted with subs Nathan Waterston and Joe McGee who looked lively after coming on.

Reds will go into the hat for the next qualifying round, which will be drawn today. But first they get back to league action next Saturday, with a trip to Halesowen Town.

"Now we take the positives from this result," said Hewson. "We know in the FA Cup anything can happen but it's important to keep in there.

"It would be great to have a little FA Cup run for the club and the lads but now we are starting to prepare for Saturday.

"We will train this week, get everyone right and go there with the same or an even stronger squad.

"We are getting the lads back to full fitness now. The only real absentees are Gari Rowntree and Anthony Wright.

"So if we have everyone else fit then for me that's a very strong and capable squad."