Greg Abbott praised Notts County's attitude and ability to handle a tricky pitch as they marched into the fourth round of the FA Trophy.
The Magpies ran out convincing 3-0 winners at Craik Park on a surface that was subjected to heavy rain in the north-east in the 24 hours prior to kick-off.
But Notts handled the conditions superbly as they took a fifth-minute lead through Elisha Sam when he converted a shot at the near post after good work from Tom Walker.
Sam Graham made it 2-0 with a towering header from a corner before a searing counter-attack helped by some superb skill from Sam ended with Jimmy Knowles scoring the third.
Manager Neal Ardley made eight changes to the side which beat Stockport on Tuesday as he gave those players on the fringes of the first team a run out and assistant boss Abbott was thrilled with their application.
"The players adapted to the conditions really well," he said.
"The chairman apologised for the pitch and he was a credit to the club. But there was nothing they could do as they had a load of rain here yesterday.
"But fair play to them because they got the game on and I thought we handled it really well.
"It wasn't easy to pass the ball. You needed an extra touch at times and couldn't play any fluent football.
"But it was a terrific attitude from the players and I thought we were comfortable."
