Ian Evatt praised the professional manner in which his side progressed into the last-16 of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy on Tuesday evening against Port Vale.
Goals either side of half-time from Dion Charles and Carlos Mendes Gomes was enough to ensure a 2-0 victory and secured Wanderers’ place in the next round, continuing the defence of the trophy they picked up at Wembley in April.
For Evatt, he was pleased in which progression was confirmed without too much unwanted drama at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
“It was a really professional performance and a really good test,” he said.
“Port Vale came here with a strong, physical team and at times asked us some questions, but I thought the players applied themselves really well.
“I thought we were clean with our passing and combinations and probably could have scored more, but I thought the two goals we scored - especially the second one - were lovely.
“I thought we dealt with their set plays really well and stayed calm and waited for the game to settle again, and then took over.
“I’m pleased for Carlos to get on the scoresheet, but disappointed that Dan has felt his hamstring on the rebound from the penalty, which was probably the only negative from tonight. Other than that it was a good night’s work.
“We’re through to the next round now, still fighting on three fronts, and we can park this now and get ready for the big game at Portsmouth on Monday."
The opener on the night from Charles meant a club record that had stood since 1934 has now been broken, with this side setting the highest number of goals scored in a calendar year, with five games left of 2023.
The manager was happy to see the record broken, and emphasise the good place in which his side are in as they continued their unbeaten run ahead of Monday’s trip to Portsmouth.
“I’m delighted with that (breaking the club record) and delighted that Dion got the goal that broke the record as well because he’s been a big part in getting those goals,” he said.
“There was a lot of critique last season that the team and forward players didn’t get enough goals and I think we’ve silenced a few of those with this record.
“We’re enjoying our work, we’re in a good place and we’ll just keep grinding on and striving for more.”
Watch the manager's post-match interview on Wanderers TV HERE