AFC Totton boss Jimmy Ball hailed his side's "resilience" as they booked their spot in the FA Cup first round, despite a first-half red card.
Joe Oastler was sent off at the end of the first half for two yellow cards - a decision Ball felt was controversial.
Yet they managed to survive until a penalty shootout in their replay at Truro City, after Tony Lee gave them the lead.
The Stags converted all five penalties to set up a first-round tie against fellow sixth-tier side Macclesfield Town.
"It was unique, and I'm incredibly proud of the resilience and the refusal to be beaten," said Ball.
"Over these two games, we have had a lot that has gone against us. One of the clearest red cards you will ever see didn't get given in the first game.
"That would have changed that game. Then we hit the bar from a penalty at the end of that game.
"The sending off tonight - yeah, the second one is a yellow, but there is not a chance in a million years that the first one is.
"A million of those things happen through the game. The first yellow was really, really soft compared to what happened in that game.
"We came here tonight with four injured players on the bench. We had to bring injured players on to fight, to run and work hard.
"I'm immensely proud of the way the players refused to lie down and die. You have to stand up to be counted, and we did."
The Stags visit Macclesfield, currently 15th in the National League North with 12 points from 10 games, on Saturday, November 1.
Totton have won 19 points from their 10 league games so far this season, and have a game in hand over league leaders Hornchurch.
Share