Manager Lee Johnson was disappointed after the clubs exit from the JPT area quarter-final. Neil Etheridge blasted his penalty shot high over the bar in the penalty shoot-out which Athletic lost 10-9 after a 2-2 in regular time against Preston North End.
Johnson said, "I’m disappointed. We had done so well after such a poor first half. I had to be brave and make substitutions which were very effective. In the second half, we were excellent. I think the fringe players missed their chance. It hasn't done them any favours. In the first half it was men against boys; I had to make it men against men."
"I was really pleased with how the second half went. We had more physical presence, our tempo was higher and we moved the ball more quickly. Everything was just so much better; it was the real us. I can take losing in the right way, but what I can't take is the first-half performance."