COLIN Hendry paid tribute to the "Second Xl" who booked Wanderers a place in the quarter-finals of the Worthington Cup.

The veteran Scot captained the reserve-style side that beat Southampton in a dramatic penalty shoot out last night, knowing full well that the majority will have to take a back seat when the Premiership programme resumes at Spurs next Monday.

And, although Sam Allardyce pointed the finger at his defence, in particular, for twice letting a lead slip from their grasp before finally securing victory, Hendry believes there were mitigating circumstances.

"The gaffer's a perfectionist and I can understand the things he said," he acknowledged, "but a lot of guys out there were low in confidence because they hadn't played at that level for a while.

"It's not easy. The demands are there and the only way you can get the best out of players is by playing them regularly at that level."

Hendry cited Jussi Jaaskelainen and Paul Warhurst, in particular, as players who were the only players retained from the starting line-up from Saturday's Premiership draw with Fulham, while Southampton fielded a full-strength side. "Jussi and Paul did a great job for us because they are regulars," he insisted. The rest of us are trying to keep fit and be available when required.

"But it's difficult. Whether all the players are happy with the situation, you'd have to ask each individually but I'm a bit long in the tooth now.

"It was disappointing to lose the goals in the manner they were scored but it must be remembered that we were playing against a team that's going to play in the Premiership on Saturday. The team we play in the next Premiership game will probably not be the team that played last night."

Hendry, who played a key role last season in helping Wanderers secure a place in the Premiership, has only figured in the three Worthington Cup ties this season, having been ruled out by injury for the opening fixture at Leicester and seeing Mike Whitlow strike up a formidable partnership with the outstanding Gudni Bergsson.

Though personally frustrated to have been restricted to the three cup ties for which the manager has made wholesale changes, the 36-year-old chooses not to complain and paid tribute to Whitlow, in particular. "I'm happy for Mike especially," he said. "He's a player who had a lot of problems with injuries. I'll be happy as long as the club is winning but I think I showed last night that if there's a problem, he (Allardyce) has not got a problem with me. I came through 120 minutes. It was tough for the last 40 minutes or so but I still managed to step up and stick the penalty away."