Youth Team boss John Askey was understandably a proud man when the final whistle blew last night to seal his team's passage to the 3^rd Round of the FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON.

The reward was an away tie with Blackpool, and whilst the date is still to be set, it's a game that John is already looking forward to.

"Prior to last season I don't think the club had ever gotten past the 1^st stage of the competition. So to have reached the 3^rd round for the second season running is something the squad can be rightly proud of."

"Blackpool are in the same league as ourselves, and whilst we have yet to play them, they are in a similar league position as us. So there is no reason why we shouldn't be confident of going to Bloomfield Road and getting a result."

"To be honest last night's wasn't one of our better displays. We had played a lot better against Stockport on Saturday with a much changed side. But that's football for you. I had decided to rest a few of the lads for the league game and also to give some of the others a run out. And we were certainly the better side despite going down 2-1."

"Against Rotherham last night I thought we started well but failed to take our chances. They came back into the game and bossed proceedings for the vast majority of the game. However we stuck to our game and I was delighted with both goals, albeit they were very different in nature."

"Chris Hurst's was a real poacher's effort, being first to react from a knocked down corner. It may not have been a classic but he was in the right place at the right time. Kristian Dennis' however was a classy finish, coolly lobbing the keeper."

"And it was great to see so many turn up to watch the game. We made a point of also bring everyone down from the Centre of Excellence to support the team. It also hopefully acts to inspire them as almost all of the team last night has appeared for the Centre at some stage. So there's no reason why it couldn't be them in a few years time."