KEITH Rowland admits guiding Aveley into the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy is a magnificent achievement.

The Millers went into the third round as the lowest ranked club remaining in the competition, but the Isthmian North outfit sealed a 3-1 victory over National League South side Chelmsford City.

Rowland is full of joy as Aveley continued their record-breaking run and are into the final eight of the FA Trophy.

“I’ve run out of superlatives for the group in the Trophy,” boss Rowland told Aveley FC TV.

“The cup run hasn’t been a hindrance. It’s been great for the players and it has given the group confidence.

“The lift around the whole football club has been tremendous and I think the players have got to take every bit of credit.

“As much as we help them and try to guide them, it was our ninth game in the Trophy and they have answered every question that has come their way.

“No game has been the same and they have come up with the answers time and time again.

“I said after beating Hornchurch in the last round that getting Aveley into the last 16 was a big achievement for me personally.

“Going up against a team two divisions above us in the National League South and winning 3-1 was fantastic.

“For the club to get into the last eight in the country is a magnificent achievement.”

Jason Raad gave Aveley a 12th minute lead with an inch-perfect free-kick.

Although Chris Whelpdale levelled for Chelmsford, the Millers were not to be denied in front of a bumper crowd of 811 at Parkside.

Alex Akrofi restored Aveley’s advantage in the 88th minute.

And, in injury time, Jon Nzengo added his name to the scoresheet with a long range thunderbolt.

Rowland maintains he was always confident the Millers could claim another scalp to extend their historic run in the competition.

“Being in the last eight of the FA Trophy means a lot,” added Rowland.

“I said to the players beforehand that we had run out of free hits.

“Being at home, I told the boys to go win it and they did.

“We felt we needed to stretch the game early because they were a bit makeshift at the back.

“We thought we could exploit that and Jason put one in the corner.

“After that, the game swayed a little bit.

“We were playing against a team two divisions above us and the expectations we put on the group can sometimes be a little bit harsh but, at the same time, I don’t ask them to do things I don’t think they can do.”