Livingston goalkeeper Max Stryjek says he was determined to prove his value to the team as the keeper bounced back from last week's error to help guide the Lions into the League Cup quarter-finals.
The 25-year-old fumbled a Jack MacKenzie strike into his own net last week deep into injury-time as Livi suffered a 2-1 league loss at home to Aberdeen - but the big Pole was the hero on Saturday against the Buddies, saving two penalties as the Lions progressed 4-3 in the shoot-out after the two sides had finished level at one goal apiece following extra-time.
Even before the penalties, Stryjek pulled off two wonderful saves in the first half - denying Greg Kiltie and Eamonn Brophy when both looked certain to score.
Alan Forrest had opened the scoring for the hosts on 41 minutes when he cut inside from the left and curled an effort low into the far corner. That looked like it would be enough to seal a place in the last eight only for Connor McCarthy to fire home from close range nine minutes from time after the Livi defence failed to deal with a Scott Tanser free-kick.
Early in the second half of extra-time, the Lions appeared to have dragged themselves in front once again when skipper Nicky Devlin bundled the ball over the line from close range after an Ayo Obileye header had cannoned back off the post - only for the officials to remain unmoved by the home side's appeals.
That set the stage for Stryjek to be the hero as saves from Cammy MacPherson and Kyle McAllister ensured Livi's passage in the quarter-finals, where they face a daunting trip to Rangers.
The keeper said: "Everyone says you are always judged on your last game and hopefully that was a good performance for me and for the team in general.
"After the last game, for two hours, I didn’t even talk to my girlfriend at home. I felt that everyone makes mistakes, you just have to learn from them and then put it behind you and then go and prove to yourself and everyone that you are worth something.
“The boys were fantastic. You can see our team has a good spirit and everyone supports each other. Even if you make a mistake. We pull together and that helps."
And the former Sunderland man admits he ditched the research for gut instinct ahead of the spot-kicks, saying: "I had a sheet of paper with who would be taking their penalties and where he would put them, but I didn’t look at it. I just went with my gut.
“I just decided whether I was going left or right on each penalty taker. It was worth it. It was instinct.
“The best one was the last one. I don’t know how it’s possible to dive low and for the ball to bounce up onto the crossbar and then back into my hands. I don’ know how that happened/
“I love penalty saves. I was just happy that I could help the team get into the quarter-final because my goal was to prove to myself that I’m a good goalkeeper."
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