Owen Coyle hails Blackburn's character after their EFL Cup victory over Crewe

23 August 2016 22:53

Blackburn boss Owen Coyle saluted the character of his players after they were forced to come back from an early two-goal deficit to beat League Two Crewe 4-3 after extra-time in the EFL Cup.

Shane Duffy eventually won the tie in the first period of extra time, securing Rovers a passage into round three as they temporarily put their Championship tribulations behind them.

Coyle said: "It was an important victory for us because everybody knows there's never an easy tie in these competitions.

"I know about that, I've been in semi-finals and finals as a player and I think was an underdog in them all.

"We knew before the game this could be tricky for us, and to be honest we made it difficult for ourselves in going two goals behind.

"When we were two behind I could see the fans were getting a little bit nervous, a bit edgy maybe.

"But just when you need your players to stand up and be counted, that's exactly what happened.

"My lads dragged themselves up and showed real character in the end.

"It was amazing because then we end up having to do it all again when Dagnall made it 3-3, but I was really pleased for Shane Duffy to get the winning goal.

"In extra-time we could have had more goals."

A wonder strike from Billy Bingham and Chris Dagnall's predatory effort handed the Alex a two-goal lead with just over half-an-hour played, only for Hope Akpan to halve Rovers' deficit shortly before half-time.

Scott Wharton levelled midway through the second period and when Craig Conway lashed home in the 87th minute, the hosts' comeback victory looked to have been completed.

However, Dagnall fired in a super strike from 20 yards deep into stoppage time, sending the tie into the extra period.

Seven minutes into extra time Shane Duffy headed home for Rovers - his second such effort in the two EFL Cup ties so far - and that completed what turned out to be Crewe's first defeat in any competition so far this season.

Manager Steve Davis also hailed his gutsy fourth-tier side, who came close to a huge shock.

He said: "You have to feel for the players.

"They've gone toe-to-toe with a good Championship side and we've come so close.

"The lads are all so tired. They were really flagging towards the end.

"But I can only offer them credit because they've given our travelling fans plenty to shout about despite the final result.

"This should give us heart for the next few league games.

"We've shown what we're capable of and that we have got goals in us.

"It's been a disappointing outcome, but it's a game we can learn so much from."

Source: PA