Law's delight as players finish off a 'fantastic day' for Kettering

Brett Solkhon scores from the penalty spot to give Kettering Town the lead in the 2-1 victory over AFC Mansfield at Latimer Park. Pictures by Peter Short

The Poppies squad were almost playing the supporting act at Latimer Park after the headline news of the club confirming they had reached an agreement to purchase land in the town with the aim of building a new stadium complex.

But there was still a job to do on the pitch and Kettering made a welcome return to winning ways as a Brett Solkhon penalty and a superb Ben Milnes free-kick proved to be enough to see off lower-ranked AFC Mansfield by a 2-1 scoreline.

A mistake from goalkeeper Paul White led to the visitors pulling one back but he then made an excellent late save to secure the Poppies’ place in the next round.

Lindon Meikle made a welcome return to the Poppies team after serving a three-match suspension

And boss Law said: ““We have had numerous chances in the first half and the early stages of the second half and a lot came set-pieces. We won every corner and haven’t hit the target.

“Ben has pulled out a fantastic free-kick and there were another two set-pieces that we should have put away and if you don’t take them, the opposition know they will have moments.

“It was typical cup football. We made a mistake, Paul White was caught out of position and their lad has scored to turn it into a bit of a nerve-shaker.

“It’s cup football, it’s do or die and at 2-1 they had nothing to lose but we saw it through.

“It was a fantastic day for the club with the news on the ground and now there are some more funds in the pot from the FA Cup and we are in the hat.”

Law, meanwhile, confirmed he is hoping to boost the ranks with two new signings over the next week or so.

Kettering’s squad has been stretched in recent weeks due to injuries and suspensions.

And while they are beginning to clear up, Law insists more numbers are needed with games set to come thick and fast in various competitions over the next couple of months.

“We are looking at bolstering the squad,” he added.

“We are in the FA Cup, the FA Trophy and the league cup are coming up so there is a lot of football to be played.

“There will be some additions. It’s personnel that will give us that bit of experience, knowing that every player can’t play every game.

“It was shown last week that not quite everyone is up to the mark of the 12 who are fighting it out.

“We have got three or four players who can play in different positions so we can get through it. But we need a bit of help in certain areas and we are hoping to get a couple done in the next week.”