Stoke’s Carabao Cup penalty shoot-out win over League Two Fleetwood was caretaker boss Ryan Shawcross’ “best day in football”.
The former Potters captain was thrust into the hotseat after Steven Schumacher was sacked on Monday.
Michael Rose headed the Championship hosts in front before Rhys Bennett forced penalties with a late leveller.
Viktor Johansson was the hero as he saved penalties from Phoenix Patterson and Ryan Graydon before Mipo Odubeko and Ryan Broom missed.
Shawcross said: “It was probably my best day in football.
“Take away my playing days, that was the best for me after a whirlwind 24 hours for the club.
“I wasn’t expecting it, but to lead Stoke City it’s something I’ve aspired to do since doing my coaching badges.
“For us to play so well and for me to enjoy it, it was brilliant. We could have finished it before the shoot-out.
“What I wanted to do was give some young lads a chance, they are the future of the club and that was my job today.
“I thought we played some great stuff. Some of our attacking play was brilliant, it was great to watch. From the sidelines it was everything I asked of them.”
It was heartbreak for Charlie Adam’s side after sending the game to penalties.
But the Fleetwood boss, a former Stoke midfielder, said: “I’m really pleased with the character of the boys to keep going until the very end.
“We managed to get a late equaliser and take the game to penalties.
“Look, it wasn’t to be at the end and it’s a tough one to take. But you can’t fault any player willing to step up and take a penalty.”
