Woking manager Craig Ross praised his injury-hit side’s commitment and desire after they exited the FA Cup with a narrow 3-2 defeat at National League leaders Boreham Wood.

Josh Kelly scored twice for the Cards, but goals from Tarryn Allarakhia, Danny Cashman and Lewis Richardson sealed Boreham Wood’s place in the first round proper in front of a crowd of 1,149 at Meadow Park.

The Cards have suffered a number of injuries recently, and Ross was proud of his side’s efforts.

“We've had a lot thrown at us this week in terms of injuries,” said Ross.

“We lost Timi Odusina and Chin Okoli last week, and then lost Taylan Harris and Ant Georgiou during the week.

“John Marquis picked up an injury against Harrogate, so he wasn't in a place to be able to start the game. We have to look after him for his long-term benefit and our long-term benefit. It would have been a risk playing him.

“Matt Ward has had an ankle issue for a few weeks, and we've had to manage his training load. We were at risk of an injury if we had started him, in terms of spiking his load and what he's done over the past few weeks.

“How the week's gone, it kicked us again in the first half when we lost Caleb Richards and Nathan Patten.

“I told the lads resilience was going to be needed as our mentality, and that was evident.

“Boreham Wood have got really good technical players. Their front four are lively and dangerous, which we knew going into the game.

“We had to be compact, deal with runners and get up to the ball early in and around our box, because they've got dangerous players in those areas.

“To a man, if there's any way to lose a game that was it. The commitment, desire and togetherness was there for everyone to see.

“There's not many teams who will get clapped off after a defeat, but our fans were brilliant at the end. I think they could see the commitment and desire the lads were showing. That's all they want to see and all we want to see.

“I can't fault anyone, to an absolute man. To deal with the adversity of this week and show that character, I’m really proud of their performance.”

The Cards will return to National League action when they travel to Scunthorpe United on Saturday, October 24 (3pm kick-off), and Ross is hoping to see the same levels of commitment and desire from his side.

“We’re going to have to go again and reset,” said Ross.

“We have to count the bodies and the numbers. With the rest we've given John, he should be back available.

“Hopefully we can get some good training into Matt Ward this week, so he'll be available to start.

“Jaiden Putman will be back from suspension. We should get stronger.

“We have to asses the injuries we've got and what that looks like.

“We’ll go to Scunthorpe, and if we show the same levels of commitment, desire and togetherness we'll put on a good performance and hopefully come home with three points.”