Chester FC assistant Jon McCarthy described the 4-0 win over Hungerford Town in the FA Trophy second round as 'professional'.
The Blues struggled to breakdown the stubborn visitors for more than an hour and the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division side sensed an upset was within reach.
But the contest turned in a four-minute spell during which Jordan Chapell giving Chester the lead and Hungerford's Scott Rees being sent-off for a second bookable offence.
Down to 10 men and chasing the game, the Crusaders became ragged and the hosts picked them off to score three times in the final 10 minutes through Ross Hannah, Johnny Hunt and Jason Gilchrist to book a place in the third round.
McCarthy was pleased to see the Blues progress in the end but admitted the visitors proved a tough nut to crack.
Recap: Look back at how the game unfolded in The Chronicle's live blog
He said: "I think it was where we're at as a team. We've had one win in nine so there's some frustration from the fans and some nervousness from the players but it's a big result for us.
"Hungerford came here and we've done it last season where we've gone to places in the FA Cup and been difficult to break down and got men behind the ball.
"They didn't create a chance against us in the first-half so we felt comfortable but the gaffer's made a change at half-time and we got two players in the hole instead of one which allowed us to break them down a bit because they had two banks of four and it worked.
"We started passing the ball a little bit better and the first goal was the key wasn't it? Then they started to lose their shape a little bit and started to lose discipline and the gulf did show.
"We've won 4-0 at home at the end of the day. That was the shape of the game and that's how the game went and actually that's how a lot of these games go. It does take some time to come out on top but we've done it really well in the end so it's pleasing."
Read: The Chronicle's report as the Blues go through to FA Trophy third round
A small number of supporters booed Chester's laboured first-half performance and McCarthy was happy with the way the team handled that.
"It was about them dealing with the frustration," said McCarthy.
"It wasn't many of our fans but in a smaller crowd it does come across to the pitch. All of our fans want us to win and most of them will sit there and want it to happen but there's a few who express it and they're entitled to do that.
"It's about the players being able to cope with that and actually they did. The final result shows that it was a really comfortable victory in the end with some good goals, good finishing and quite bright play in the second-half.
"It's not a dressing room that's got champagne flying around but it's a job done and done in a professional manner.
"The only way you can come out of a game you're expected to win with any credit is to go and win it well and they've done everything that we've asked them."
The draw for the third round takes place on Monday at Wembley and is expected to be released at noon. The Chronicle will be running a live blog on the draw from 11am on Monday.
