MANAGER Paul Masters has hailed Winchester City’s advance to the Southern One South & West play-offs as “a great achievement for everyone.”

The Citizens will travel to either Banbury United or Taunton Town for a one-off semi-final next midweek (date to be decided) after finally cementing their top-five place with a 1-1 result at Slimbridge last night.

It was their fifth straight league draw and Masters admitted: “We stumbled over the line a bit, but I never doubted we'd get to the play-offs.

“Everyone we’ve played over the last month has been right up for it, which shows why this league is stronger than the Wessex.

“There are no easy games, other than (rock-bottom) Bashley, and Wednesday was a prime example of that."

City had to come back from behind at Slimbridge, with Craig Feeney wiping out Paul Fahy's early strike.

In the second half top gun Warren Bentley had a penalty saved and Micky Hubbard's free kick went into the top corner off the woodwork, but the officials controversially ruled that it hadn't crossed the line.

The Citizens took it on the chin, however, and held strong for a point which keeps them in the hunt for Southern Premier football just a year after finishing runners-up to Sydenhams Premier champions Petersfield.

They were not even promoted until mid-June when Flackwell Heath turned down the opportunity to join the S&W ranks.

“We were favourites to go down with the bookies at the beginning of the season, so this a great achievement for everyone involved," said Masters.

“I’m proud of the boys and we can go into the play-offs with confidence.

“In a one-off game, I wouldn’t change my squad for anyone.

“People say we haven’t been winning lately, but we haven't lost either apart from the penalty shootout with Havant & Waterlooville in the Senior Cup final.

“At the start of the season we were beating people with our flowing football and, as it’s gone on, the lads have learned to scrap out results which is what you need at this level.”

With Leigh Mills, Andy Forbes, Howard Newton, Harrison Fay and Matt Benham all missing, City travelled to Slimbridge with just 11 senior players – including Micky Hubbard who cut short a holiday to play.

Midfielder Jamie Barron hobbled off late with a twisted ankle and will definitely be rested for Saturday's final league fixture at Shortwood.

In fact, if Masters can arrange it at short notice, he will send a full reserve side to Gloucestershire and keep the first team back for training in preparation for the play-offs.

“If we can’t get the whole reserve side, the first team will go,” he said. “What I don’t want to do is play half and half.”