Hythe nailed their game plan to upset Tonbridge in the FA Trophy and create more history for the club.

The Cannons extended their best-ever run in the competition by reaching round three at Angels’ expense.

Steve Watt’s Isthmian South East side beat their National League South opponents 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw at Reachfields on Saturday.

Hythe, going first in the shoot-out, missed two of their first three penalties.

But three saves from Steve Phillips and successful kicks from Johan Caney-Bryan and Jake Embery gave Frannie Collin the chance to win it.

The Cannons have been drawn at home to Whitehawk - their conquerors in last season’s Isthmian South East play-off final - in the next round on December 9.

“The game was what it was always going to be,” said Cannons boss Watt.

“Tonbridge had all the ball - we just stopped them doing anything with it.

“We let them have the ball in certain areas, forced them into areas and blocked up where they wanted to go.

“The game plan worked out how we envisaged it would go and how we wanted to try and manipulate it to go.

“We actually had the two best chances of the game - Johan’s hit the underside of the bar from six yards and Flish (Sam Flisher) has nearly won it at the death.”

Hythe were never going to trade with an in-form Tonbridge side on a run of one defeat in nine and fresh from back-to-back away wins in the league.

As the game progressed, penalties became more appealing.

“We know what we are,” said Watt.

“I’d love to go toe-to-toe and get the ball down and try and keep it.

“But if you try that against a side as good as Tonbridge, you’re probably going to lose, so you’ve got to use every trick in the book to try and get a result.

“I always thought, worst-case scenario, let’s get to penalties because then it’s a 50:50 fight, and it’s testament to how well my players did that we’ve restricted Tonbridge to one or two shots on target.

“Steve Phillips hasn’t had much to do in the game but then to save three penalties, you don’t see that very often at any level.

“What made it even more impressive for me was the mentality of the boys.

“When you miss going first it puts more pressure on - and we’ve missed two of our first three - but the mentality was unreal.

“You’ve got Steve making those saves, Jake’s penalty was the calmest you’ll ever see - he’s walked up and passed it in the corner - and I don’t think there’s anyone else in non-league football, let alone Kent, you’d rather have than Frannie to take a penalty to win you a game.

“One thing I will say is the format of the Trophy, going straight to penalties, favours the underdogs, but we’re delighted to get through.”

Hythe are in Isthmian South East action at leaders Ramsgate tonight (7.45pm).

There was some needle between the clubs three weeks ago after Rams accused the Cannons of refusing to reschedule an FA Trophy tie, knowing it would mean facing the Thanet club’s under-23s.

Hythe rejected those claims but they haven’t been forgotten.

“We probably don’t stand a chance because I’d imagine they’ll be playing their full-strength side tonight,” said Watt.

“If we get beat, we get beat. If they’re better than us, no problem, well done, all the best.

“People keep talking about what they’re spending but that shouldn’t diminish any success the club, Ben (Smith, boss) or the players have because you’ve still got to go out and perform.

“Ben’s a top man, he’s done a great job there and he’s put a great team together. I know a lot of the players and they’re good lads.”

Hythe visit struggling Phoenix on Saturday (3pm) and Sittingbourne on Tuesday (7.45pm).