Motherwell boss Graham Alexander says his side deserve enormous credit for overcoming a 'soul-destroying' last-ditch equaliser to down Morton 5-3 on penalties and progress into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.
Alexander's side will face either Stranraer or Hibs in the next round, after a 1-1 draw with Championship side Morton went through into the shoot-out, with Motherwell coming out on top.
Stephen O'Donnell's piledriver put Motherwell ahead late in extra-time, only for former Hamilton defender Markus Fjortoft to level with a header inside stoppage time.
Alexander says Gus MacPherson's side deserve enormous credit for making life difficult for them.
He said: "I'm happy, obviously relieved because it was a really tough night for us.
"The first target is to be in the next round, which we've achieved. We could have done things better, but I would also like to acknowledge how well Morton played as well and made it difficult for us.
"As coaches we knew it would be [hard] and we can do things better, but I think you have to give credit to Morton as well, because I think they played exceptionally well.
"It's about results in professional football, both in the league and the cup. In the league you've got other games to make up lost ground, but in the cup if you lose that's it, you're out.
"We didn't start the game well, we were a little bit slow in our build-up, but I think the way Morton set up they made it so.
"We got frustrated with each other and played into Morton's hands, but they did it well. We had some really good chances to score further on in the game, which we didn't take, and then when you score so late on you think you've done it - but we gave away a really sloppy set-piece away.
"I've got to give credit to my players because throwing it away in that final second could have been soul-destroying but we picked ourselves up, went into the penalties and scored five great penalties.
"Liam has made another good save and we're through, and we are happy to go through, of course, but it was a difficult night for us."
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
