AFC boss Matt Chatfield was relieved to reach the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup at the expense of Heanor Town.
The Lions took Mansfield to a replay after a goalless first encounter which could have seen either side win it, before a similar fixture eventually fell the way of AFC.
"I'm delighted," the gaffer told Bulls TV after the game, "they don't have to be pretty, FA Cup games, but today they proved that they've got it in their locker to keep on going.
"They defended very well and I'm delighted to be in the next round of the cup."
But it wasn't long before the Bulls boss turned to congratulate the opponents on an excellent and entertaining 180 minutes of cup football: "Credit to Heanor, they've gone toe-to-toe in the last round but I think we just had enough in us to win the game.
"But they're one of the better sides that we've played this season, to be honest, and I really do wish them all the best for this season."
Tomorrow sees the Bulls travel to Southern League Premier Division Central side Barwell - from two tiers above - in the next round, and Chatfield was adamant that his side will be no pushovers.
"It's a cup game, they can't expect to beat us and we can't expect to beat them.
"If we can hold it out for as long as possible we'll get more of a chance to win the game, but if they get the upper hand straight away then it could be a knockout blow.
"The lads are so pumped and ready for it, we can't wait to play in the next round of the FA Cup."
Goal-scorer and defender Brett Lucas said that he and his team-mates are "buzzing" for Saturday's game and that his side will see it as no different task to Tuesday.
"We just go out and play football, that's what we try and do.
"We're underdogs, we've got to give them the respect they deserve.
"I think with better shape, and hard work again, we'll see what we can do - the pressure's off us."
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