LUKE Southwood has revealed the trick behind his penalty heroics in the Carabao Cup.

The Wanderers keeper made two vital saves in the shootout to ensure Ian Evatt’s side went into the second round draw at Mansfield Town’s expense.

His efforts should come as no surprise to those who have followed his career, during which the Northern Ireland international has saved eight spot kicks in regulation time for the likes of Cheltenham Town and Reading.

Homework paid off at the Toughsheet Stadium, with only one of Mansfield’s five penalties going against the advice compiled by Wanderers’ analysts and coaching staff.

But Southwood said he also had to get himself mentally ready to make a difference when the pressure was on.

“I have had a few penalty shoot-outs in my career and the ones previously I probably got myself too ‘amped’ up,” he said. “That doesn’t really help. Tonight, I just thought ‘stay calm and go through the process.

“I have a good record of penalty saving in games. That’s what I do in games, I stay calm, I have a drink and take my time.

“That was basically what I was thinking. I try and slow down-not to the point where you get booked-but I want to feel like I am in control of the situation as much as possible.

“With a penalty, you are not in control because you are waiting for the player to kick the ball. But you want to try and regain as much control as you can.”

Southwood recognises that his best chance of regular football in the short-term is in the cup competitions, especially as he is still pushing to full fitness after recovering from a fractured fibula over the summer.

He is under no illusion on how tough is could be to shift Nathan Baxter from the top of the goalkeeping pile – but won’t be billed as back-up.

“It was important personally to win the game, especially with the injury and lack of minutes pre-season,” he said.

“I want to get myself up to speed as quickly as possible. I don’t think I am quite there yet but is coming closer and closer. The ultimate goal is when I get that chance in the league or whatever it is, I am as sharp as I can be.

“I don’t think I would go to any club with the mindset I am a number two. I came knowing fully how good a goalie Nathan is. But I have also come here knowing how good a goalie I can be as well. My aim is to push Nathan, help each other prepare for games.

“But when it all comes down to it, it is all about the team. We have a goal this season and we all know what that it is.

“Whether that’s me playing, him playing or Joel playing. It is all about making sure the team get the three points.”

Baxter’s magnificent performance at Leyton Orient on Saturday has made it a successful week for the goalkeeping department, and Southwood was the first to recognise how important his team-mate had been at Brisbane Road.

“He was brilliant,” he said. “He was the difference between the two teams. He made three or four saves in the second half that won us the game. I was sat there buzzing for him. That’s the kind of guy I am. I want him to do well, I want the team to do well. If everyone is pitching in together, good things happen.

“Because goalkeeping is such a specialised position there is only one person who can play. We understand that and have got that maturity of understanding that. When it is you, you expect support and when it is someone else, you support them.

“That’s also not letting go of the fact that from Monday to Friday you are pushing and trying to prove you are the best one there everyday. That’s the essence of the job.”

Wanderers face Wrexham next up, with arguably more attention from the visiting TV cameras on their opponents than themselves.

Owned by Hollywood pair Rob Mcelhenney and Ryan Renyolds, Phil Parkinson’s team have been followed by the Disney Plus documentary makers for the last three seasons for Made in Wrexham. Neither are due at the Toughsheet on Saturday as things stand – but Southwood admits he is a fan.

“I went to watch Deadpool the other day in that 3D X, it was good,” he said.

On the pitch, Wanderers are still working out some kinks after summer of several signings and injury issues but have nevertheless made an unbeaten start.

“We know there is still room for improvement performance wise,” Southwood added. “It is a big squad with a lot of new faces. Everyone is really excited and working hard every day trying to improve and take on board what the gaffer and all the staff say.

“In the last two games we have shown that grittiness that we are going to need to win games in this league.”