Whitby Town captain Daniel Rowe reflected on the “ecstasy and joy” that the Seasiders' Fourth Qualifying Round Replay win brought to the club, players and supporters following several years of tough moments in the world’s greatest cup competition.

The Seasiders put National League South opponents, Chelmsford City, to the sword at the Towbar Express Stadium @ The Turnbull Ground, particularly in the first half, following strikes from Jacob Gratton and Junior Mondal.

After Mo Bettamer had halved the deficit, Mondal would send the Turnbull into raptures with a goal in the final minute of stoppage time to secure the Seasiders a trip to Bristol Rovers in the First Round Proper.

“The lads are absolutely buzzing, even now still," Rowe told whitbytownfc.com. “It was a great night for the club and everyone involved.

"We’ve created a bit of modern day history for the club and the lads are on a high."

After experiencing heartbreak at the Fourth Qualifying Round stage in 2019, Rowe, one of just a handful of players still remaining from that tough night against Stourbridge, felt that those memories can well and truly be erased now.

Having been 2-0 and then missing a penalty, it was a particularly tough one to take, but amends were well and truly made this time around.

“I think we all thought we deserved to win on the Saturday but it was probably written in the stars really to go back to Whitby and to do it front of a big crowd at the Turnbull where locals can watch it and experience it,” Rowe added. “We were all up for it and deserved to win the replay.

“It was a bit nervy when they scored the goal to get back in it but I think everyone knew, even Chelmsford, that Whitby deserved to go through. We were the better team in both games.

“When Junior scored that third goal it was a bit of a relief and it put the Stourbridge game from four years ago to bed where we should’ve gone through."

Mondal’s 95th minute stunner sparked scenes not scene at the Turnbull for several years as the entire ground celebrated a huge achievement for the Blues.

For the fans, it was a moment to treasure, and Rowe also felt that the players have to relish such times.

“You probably only get those moments once or twice in your footballing career,” he said. It was pure ecstasy and joy.

“You work really hard for football, you get some downs and you get some highs, but those moments are right at the top.

"When Junior scored that third goal, it hit the post, and then went in the back of the net, everything kind of went in slow motion really.

“It was just absolute emotion all round the ground. You could see what it meant with the fans running on the pitch, something that couldn’t be helped.

“It was just nice to share that experience with them. It was a crazy night.”

Rowe is one of the more senior players in the Whitby Town squad having featured in the EFL for teams including Rotherham United and Wycombe Wanderers.

Now in his fifth campaign with the Seasiders, the Town skipper took time to reflect in more detail on the last round and where that ranks among his achievements to date.

“It’s definitely right up there,” he revealed. “I was thinking about that just after the game, and it’s up there with making my professional debut, signing professional contracts and staying in the Football League for a while.

“It’s probably one of my proudest moments because it means a bit more to me being the team captain and being at the club for five years now.

“It’s probably one of my best nights in football to be honest.”

And the reward for qualifying for the First Round Proper is a tasty one as they travel to the South West where manager-less Bristol Rovers await.

With the draw being made prior to the replay, the carrot was already dangling over the Towbar Express Stadium, not that the Town players needed any extra motivation anyway.

"We’re coming up against a really good team in League One,” Rowe said. “They’ve got a really good ground that I’ve played at a couple of times.

“They’ll hopefully have a few thousand and I’m sure we’ll have a healthy following. It’s a decent trek to get down there but no doubt they’ll be there in numbers.

“It will be a great game to play in. We’ve got nothing to lose, it will just be a good weekend away and whatever happens, happens. We’re looking forward to that one.”