Derby County manager Paul Warne was proud of his team after their 2-2 draw away at Crewe Alexandra.
Crewe looked to be heading to the second round of the FA Cup, leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Courtney Baker-Richardson and Elliott Nevitt.
But the Rams managed to come from behind to secure a replay at Pride Park, with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scoring in the 89th minute, before Conor Hourihane got the equaliser in the third minute of injury time.
If Derby win the replay, they will host fellow League One side Bristol Rovers.
Derby boss proud of players for late comeback
Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, Warne said he was proud of his team for their comeback, saying he thought his side were ‘smoking’ Crewe.
“We got away with one but I felt as if we didn’t at least get a draw they would have got away with one because I thought we were smoking them.
“I thought we played really well and I am hugely disappointed we didn’t stop the cross (first Crewe goal) and it was poor defending from us. I’ve been involved in a lot of games where you’re in the ascendancy all it takes is one opportunity when you’re not mentally sharp and that caused a problem for us.
“Even if we’d lost 2-0 and I know the fans will think I’m off my nut, but I would have still been proud of the performance. I was. But I generally thought we played really well and controlled the game. But to get a draw feels like a win, even though I know it isn’t. We’re still in the hat and now we have another game in a few days’ time.”
Warne rides his luck once again
Warne is lucky that his side managed to save themselves from another embarrassing defeat.
The boss has been under pressure recently after some poor results and performances, and it certainly looked like it was going to be another.
But his squad have saved them once again, with their quality shining through