Tommy Widdrington said he heard the evidence that Stevenage boss Steve Evans was a worried man midway through their FA Cup second-round clash at King’s Lynn. 

The Linnets were ultimately beaten 3-0 after an early second-half blitz of three goals in nine minutes. 

But Lynn had been good value for the opening 45 minutes – and Evans knew it. 

“They came out and they went bang,” said Widdrington. “I heard Steve at half-time and he was absolutely tearing the wallpaper off so he was obviously a little bit concerned about how effective we were being. 

“It isn’t the result we wanted, but it is probably the result that everyone expected and I wish them all the best in the next round - I hope they get the plum draw that they hope for. 

“It is a bittersweet moment – the occasion has been fantastic and I am delighted my lads have experienced that. There were around 4,000 people here and people have to remember we have won four or five games to get here so the occasion is the day. 

“I knew Steve Evans wasn’t going to let his team take their foot off the gas and they came and did a really professional job. Eight minutes, they did us in eight minutes. We were excellent in the first half, we competed, we looked a bit of goal threat but not a such as I wanted to. 

“I feel we should have had a penalty in the first half. They might have too, but the challenge on Gold (Omotayo) in the box, I am watching the World Cup and they are giving them all the time – he has been bear-hugged by the guy.” 

Stevenage boss Evans said: "We were poor first half, everything we did was poor. It's fair to say I was strong at half time.

"But this dressing room is full of passion and commitment, and we demonstrated it. We've come to a difficult venue. That team beat Doncaster very, very easily only a few weeks ago, so we knew how tough this game was going to be, but I think you've seen our quality in the second half.

"The goals were tremendous, the third must be in contention for goal of the round.

"We're pleased, we won't be carried away, but we'll look at the draw with interest and we'll see what it brings.

"Tommy's done a wonderful job, he's got some brilliant players. I don't know the chairman (Stephen Cleeve), so I don't need to be nice to him, but I will be, because he's made days like these.

"They've got 4,000 here today. There's been days when I've come and watched King's Lynn where there's been 400 people here. The King's Lynn public has really supported the club as well, and it's important that a number of them come back and remember the first half rather than the second half."