Steve Cotterill praised Leicester loan pair Jake Evans and Kirsten Otchere after Cheltenham’s 2-0 home win over National League Halifax Town took them through to round two of the FA Cup.

The first FA Cup goal of teenager Evans’ career was set up by Otchere in the first half, before substitute George Miller’s late header ended spirited Halifax’s hopes of an upset.

Evans has netted five times in total this term, while Otchere is starting to underline his potential in a left wing role

“He’s (Otchere) not the lad we had at the beginning of the season, who was new to it all,” Cotterill said.

“He’d not been on loan before and he didn’t know any of the other lads. Having Jake here has definitely helped him, but he had a tough start.

“He started as the No9 and probably in those early games it was a bit much for him and he got beaten up a few times.

“But those were all part and parcel of him growing up and becoming a good footballer.”

The dangerous Otchere was denied an opener for Cheltenham by True Grant’s alert goalkeeping in the third minute.

The deadlock was broken after 16 minutes when James Wilson found Otchere on the left and his low ball was stoked in confidently by Evans.

Cheltenham’s safe passage was ensured when Charlie McCann’s corner was headed in by Miller at the death.

Halifax boss John McGrath said he had nothing but pride with his team’s efforts against their higher league opponents.

“I thought we dominated. They scored against the run of play and we said at half-time to keep the same energy levels.

“I said to the boys they have done that against a team fifth in League Two.

“This is the level my players want to jump up to.”