Irvine rues Lilywhites exit
18 Feb 2008 - 11:34:21
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- Irvine rues Lilywhites exit
Manager Alan Irvine was left downcast after seeing Preston North End suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 FA Cup fifth round defeat at home to Portsmouth.
An last-gasp own goal by Darren Carter sent the Lilywhites crashing out of the competition, after Simon Whaley had earlier seen a penalty saved by Pompey's man-of-the-match David James.
Irvine told the club's official website: "I'm bitterly disappointed. I felt that we deserved to get at least a replay and perhaps should have won the game.
"But David James has made some top-class saves and it wasn't to be. He's a top goalkeeper and you've got to do very well to beat him.
"He certainly looked very big when Simon Whaley stepped up to take that penalty and he also looked very big in general play. He made some outstanding saves.
"If it was a choice between and replay and being out of the cup, I would have taken the replay.
"We can concentrate on the league now, but at the same time I wish we had another chance in the FA Cup."