DOUGIE Freedman insisted that luck played no part in his side’s narrow progression to the second round of the Captial One Cup at the expense of local rivals Bury.
A 96th minute penalty, converted by Craig Davies, sent the game into extra time, where two goals from Neil Danns ensured a 3-2 victory in the end.
Shakers boss David Flitcroft was incensed by the award of the spot kick for a trip on Davies by ex-Whites keeper Rob Lainton – and also the fact his own side were denied two penalties later in the game.
But in Freedman’s view, Wanderers were worth the win based on the balance of 120 minutes of football.
“We weren’t lucky,” he said. “Luck doesn’t play a part in this game.
“If you keep sticking to your guns and trying to play in the right way, that’s spirit, and that’s what got us through. Many good teams got knocked out tonight but I’m so glad we weren’t one of them because we didn’t take it lying down.
“Was it a fantastic performance, no it wasn’t – I’m fine saying that. But we found a way.
“They started better than us, there’s no doubt, and there were a few words exchanged at half time.
“They came out and there was a better willingness to get on the ball and by the 50th minute we’d shown more quality than in the whole of the first half.
“By the time we scored, I felt we’d done enough to warrant the goal. I felt it was coming.
“It came in a fashion we wouldn’t have expected but it shows I have got a group of players who will keep going to the end now.
“In the second half we looked stronger, we were disciplined and that’s what got us through.”
Wanderers looked destined to crash out of the competition thanks to Ryan Lowe’s 20th minute strike – no less than the plucky Shakers deserved from an outstanding first-half performance.
Things levelled up slightly after the break but it still needed a penalty deep into stoppage time to rescue Freedman’s blushes.
“We didn’t start well, I accept that,” the manager said. “It’s a local derby, they come here look at the stadium and think it’s a wonderful place and give it their all.
“They showed an unbelievable energy in that first 45 minutes and we just weren’t ready for that.
“They couldn’t keep those levels up, so our game of passing, moving and switching it enabled us to dictate the play more.
“In the end it was no more than we deserved.”
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