ACE PEREIRA SWATS AWAY HORNETS AT THE DOUBLE

Gray hails U's as Cup place secured

- Sophie Haines

MATT Gray praised his Sutton side after they secured an FA Cup third-round tie for only the sixth time in their history following a resounding win over non-league Horsham.

The Hornets were reinstated into the second round after it was found League One Barnsley had fielded an ineligible player in the replay.

But Luton loanee Dion Pereira, an Antigua and Barbuda international, bagged a ten-minute second-half double before Omari Patrick's late goal broke the seventh-tier side's hearts.

Gray, whose side sit bottom of the Football League, find out their third-round fate today after they reached the third round for the first since 2016.

And Gray admitted: "I know we're not going to go on and win the FA Cup so we just want a big payday really.

"There's certainly pride, I'm bursting with pride.

"We came into the game with nine injuries already and then lost our two main defenders. I certainly didn't think I'd see a Sutton United team with that back four.

"To show the character and togetherness to get through that adversity and stay patient to show that quality is pleasing.

"There's relief at getting it done. I'm really pleased to look forward for Sunday's draw.