Rushall boss praises recovery

Holleran was far from happy with his team - accusing them of throwing the towel in - after they melted like a chocolate tea pot at Kit Kat Crescent last Saturday, conceding five goals in the final 20 minutes to lose 6-0.

The late onslaught from the Blue Square Premier outfit included a hat-trick from substitute Craig Farrell and left Holleran down in the dumps.

But his players responded in stylish fashion by reaching the quarter finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup by beating a young Baggies side.

On-loan striker Gary Birch scored the only goal from the penalty spot to make it nine straight home wins for the Pics this season going into today's FA Trophy second qualifying round clash with Clitheroe.

And Holleran admitted that result helped make amends for one of the most disappointing afternoons of his managerial career.

Relationship

"Beating a pro club is beating a pro club, no matter what side they put out," said Holleran.

"I've got a good relationship with the people at Albion, like Craig Shakespeare, and Chris Brindley was an apprentice at Wolves when Mark Venus was there.

"We had a good night and it was good to beat a team with two or three young pros in.

"The way the York game finished was a bitter disappointment, and I'm not going to hide away from that.

"The way we died at the end was not good enough. I've never had a side throw the towel in like we did, and the players were made quite aware of that.

"It was disappointing because they had done so well in the tournament and have been a credit to the football club, with the money they've made for the club and the way they've raised it's profile.

"But we let ourselves down with an awful last 20 minutes, especially after I'd told them the aim was to stay in the game.

"We knew it was going to be difficult because they're not only a full-time outfit, but they pass the ball well and make the pitch big.

"We did so well for so long but really let ourselves down towards the end.

"But as much as I criticised the players for that, I must praise them because on Wednesday night they were tremendous.

"When you play these professional clubs, no matter the age of their players or the side they put they out, you have to work hard to stay in the game and we did.

"Albion didn't play to a rigid system, they played with freedom and my lads had to deal with the situation and get through it.

"I thought we were exceptional and got stronger and stronger and deserved to get through to another quarter final."