Chatham Town boss Kevin Hake expresses pride after 2-1 FA Cup extra-time first-round defeat against National League North high-fliers Buxton

Kevin Hake expressed his pride as Chatham suffered a dramatic FA Cup extra-time defeat at Buxton on Saturday.

A sensational long-range effort from captain Connor Kirby proved a fitting end to a dramatic first-round encounter, which finished 2-1 to the National League North Bucks, that had seen neither side give an inch.

Forward Tope Fadahunsi had put promotion-chasing Isthmian Premier Chatham ahead with his own fine goal.

But Buxton equalised through midfielder Tate Campbell to ensure the crowd of 1,562 were given another 30 minutes - and Kirby produced a moment of magic as he fired past goalkeeper Henry Molyneux to get the match’s all-important third goal.

“I’m really proud of my boys and the way they have conducted themselves,” said Chatham manager and chairman Hake, whose team had already seen off Marlow (4-0), Ashford (3-0), Deal (3-1) and Tonbridge (3-1) in the club’s best-ever FA Cup run in 97 years.

“They have gone toe-to-toe with a top side. If you’re going to go out, go out to a worldie like that.

“All credit to the lad - he has hit a blinder there. But we’re getting applauded off the pitch by both sets of fans.

Report: Buxton 2-1 Chatham (after extra time)

“That tells you something about the magnitude of our performance.”

Buxton boss John McGrath also was complimentary of Chatham after a tie which had seen two full-time teams face off.

The Irish one-time Aston Villa midfielder said: “They were excellent.

“When the draw first came out, we did our due diligence. We had them watched live, and we had them watched on VEO and Huddle (highlights) and all that kind of business. I was really impressed with them.

“They were a really young side, as well, with some really talented players. I knew it wasn’t going to be