Conor Hourihane believes his Barnsley side deserved to beat Fleetwood Town in normal time but is pleased they held their nerve to win the EFL Cup tie on penalties on Wednesday.
Jon Russell and an own goal put the hosts in front twice but Fleetwood scored at the end of both halves before losing the shoot-out 5-4.
Hourihane said: “We played some really good stuff.
“The gameplan was literally identical to what happened.
“We knew they would go long and beat us up with long balls.
“We dominated possession and opened them up at times.
“We had some good passages of play and opportunities, good individual performances.
“The goals were frustrating at the end of both halves.
“I would have liked to win it in normal time, the performance deserved that, but we got over line in the end.”
The first leveller went straight in from a corner. Hourihane told the Chronicle: “Yeah, it was just the timing of it. The way the corner went in, we need to deal with that situation.
“There was one earlier in the first half as well, the long throw. It went in, but obviously no one touched it. Someone needs to just go and head the ball.
“It was avoidable.
“Like I said, if we can cut that lapse in concentration around conceding poor goals, because no one's really carving us open, I think we’ve we got the foundation of a good side.”
Barnsley now host Rotherham in the next round. Hourihane said: “It’s a Yorkshire derby. It will attract a crowd. It’s brilliant to be in the next round. It’s all about winning and momentum, a feel good factor around club.
A cup run is great. People who may not be getting as many minutes get time on the pitch.”
Goalkeeper Murphy Cooper saved two penalties. Hourihane said: “He’s done his homework with Scott Flinders.
“Murph has been brilliant and it’s great for him to have a big moment like that.
“One of the reasons to play him again was to get a feel of Oakwell, hopefully win again and make big saves. It’s brilliant the way it panned out.”
Reyes Cleary created both goals for Barnsley. Hourihane said: “Reyes was good. He looked tired towards the end. He hasn’t had match minutes. He’s a real bright spark. There is development there of course but we will work with him on the training ground to get fitter and stronger.”
Jon Russell, who has been on the bench in the first two league games, scored the opener and his penalty. Hourihane said: “He scored which is brilliant.
“At times I maybe want him to take less touches. He wants to manipulate the ball and he’s good at Cruyff turning.
“I think he played well and worked hard until the end.”
Mael de Gevigney was at the game in a protective boot with a sprained ankle. Hourihane said it was ‘nothing major’ and he could play against Bolton on Saturday.
