Poyet: Relieved after win

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Poyet: We were lucky

Brighton manager Gus Poyet is relieved after his side’s 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over Wrexham in Wednesday night’s FA Cup third round replay.

However, the Uruguayan conceded that the Seagulls were lucky to progress after they were given a stern examination by their non-League opponents.

Indeed, Brighton were staring defeat with 13 minutes left after trailing to Andy Morell’s first-half strike. But Ashley Barnes levelled the score to send the match into extra time, where the Dragons squared several glorious opportunities.

“It was a very difficult game,” Poyet said.

“We knew we did not start well but the cup is about getting through somehow.

“We did not adapt well to the conditions in the first half, then we started to play a little bit better.

“We created the chances and scored at the right time and then it was very open. I don’t like open games. But that is the cup.

“Then on the penalties the experience and quality helps a lot.

“When you come here you have nothing to win and everything to lose. If you win 3-0 that’s normal. If you win on penalties you are lucky.

“So it is not easy. Saying that, most of the time it is credit to the opposing team and you can see how much it means for the players.

“It was a great FA cup tie, I can imagine how Wrexham feel. They were so close to having a great game here, but that’s football, sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it goes against.”