ANDY Welsh said he was proud of his players after beating higher league Widnes in the FA Cup just days after being in a ‘dark place’ following the derby defeat to Prestwich Heys.

Second half goals from Chris Rowney and Anton Smith sealed victory for AFC against the NPL West outfit which earned them a home draw against North Shields in first round qualifying.

The highs of the cup win, with new signing Connor Comber impressing up front, came just days after the lows of a 2-0 home defeat to Heys that ended their unbeaten start to life in the NWCL Premier Division.

“I take losing personally and I know the players do as well and we weren’t at it on Wednesday (against Heys),” Welsh told the club’s YouTube channel.

“To play a team from a higher division. I think we dominated the game…I’m just really proud of the football club, the fans and the players because we were all in a dark place from Wednesday in terms of it being a derby and us being consistent as a football club.”

AFC don’t return to action until they host Squires Gate on Tuesday and Welsh believes there is more to come from his side.

“I think, moving forward, that rest will do us good and help us recuperate,” he said. “We know there is much more to come. Looking forward to the Squires Gate game, we still need a reaction in the league to make sure we are ready.

“If we continue to be brave on the ball and work as hard as we did (against Widnes) off the ball which I didn’t feel we did on Wednesday, I am sure we will go on that consistent run. And that is what it is about now, consistency.”