Jubilant FC United boss Karl Marginson was full of praise for his players and the club's supporters after their dramatic 3-2 FA Cup win at Rochdale.
Mike Norton's injury time winner settled the contest and kept alive the Red Rebels' dream of a third round tie with Manchester United, whose Glazer regime FC were set up to oppose. But TV images clearly showed the striker kicking the ball out of goalkeeper Josh Lillis' hands before slipping it into the net.
"The support was magnificent. I wouldn't say we get it like that week in, week out but the pictures will go around the world and show what we are all about and show that FC United are a decent football team backed by terrific supporters.We've shown what we are capable of and what can be achieved," said Marginson.
FC United took a one-goal lead into the break courtesy of Nicky Platt's neat finish just before the break and a spectacular strike from Jake Cotterill doubled the advantage before Anthony Elding and Craig Dawson levelled for the home side.
"I was asking the fourth official how long was left and I turned round the ball was in the back of the net," said Marginson
"I can't decide whether we deserved it or not. Rochdale were magnificent at times the way they moved the ball around, but we defended superbly apart from the two set-pieces which brought them back into the game. The two goals we scored were unbelievable.
"I watched the winner on the TV and he did tap it out of the goalkeeper's hands and it probably was a foul on the keeper. There was no malice in it but it's down to the officials to see those things."
Rochdale boss Keith Hill said the visitors probably deserved the win but was angered by the referee Geoff Eltringham's decision.
"I think he possibly got it wrong and it would be nice if the referee admitted to getting it wrong," he said. "At the end of the day he has got the decision wrong but the goal stands. I thought FC were excellent, the crowd were electric, absolutely superb and they deserve to go through.
"It's the third time I've been done by a refereeing decision and I do consider that to be a bad decision. There are no sour grapes, I wish FC the best and they deserve to be celebrating but the decision was fundamentally wrong. It was a massive test, one of the only games this season we have been favourites."
Source: PA
