PNE's Eoin Doyle told PNEPlayerHD it was North End's never say never attitude that saw them over the line tonight.
Despite North End's perseverance this evening, it looked as though Hartlepool were going to hold the Lilywhites to extra-time, before Eoin Doyle fired the ball home in the fourth minute of added time to send PNE through to the second round of the EFL Cup with a 1-0 victory.
Speaking to PNEPlayerHD at the end of the final whistle, the Irishman conceded that it was a relief to see the ball finally nestle the net.
"We got there in the end; I could have had four of five myself so it was nice to finally score at the end there," he said.
"I was delighted for the lads as I don't think they wanted extra-time with the tough game we had at the weekend so it's good for us going forward.
On grabbing his first of the season, Doyle added: "It's always good to get off the mark; they were throwing their bodies on the line so it was very nice to get there in the end.
"We were patient and we kept at them and got what we deserved."
Some may have thought that Simon Grayson would have made several changes to Saturday's defeat for tonight's cup clash to rest a few players, but the gaffer opted to make just two changes to the side with Doyle one of those coming in, and the forward added that the EFL Cup is not a competition they're taking lightly.
He continued: "It's a good competition and cup competitions are great for this club. They're great for confidence and it gets the fans through the gates and they can enjoy it if they get a good run. Hopefully we get a nice draw and we can go again."
For more reaction from tonight's goalscorer as well as the thoughts of Simon Grayson, head to PNEPlayerHD here now.
Speaking to PNEPlayerHD at the end of the final whistle, the Irishman conceded that it was a relief to see the ball finally nestle the net.
"We got there in the end; I could have had four of five myself so it was nice to finally score at the end there," he said.
"I was delighted for the lads as I don't think they wanted extra-time with the tough game we had at the weekend so it's good for us going forward.
On grabbing his first of the season, Doyle added: "It's always good to get off the mark; they were throwing their bodies on the line so it was very nice to get there in the end.
"We were patient and we kept at them and got what we deserved."
Some may have thought that Simon Grayson would have made several changes to Saturday's defeat for tonight's cup clash to rest a few players, but the gaffer opted to make just two changes to the side with Doyle one of those coming in, and the forward added that the EFL Cup is not a competition they're taking lightly.
He continued: "It's a good competition and cup competitions are great for this club. They're great for confidence and it gets the fans through the gates and they can enjoy it if they get a good run. Hopefully we get a nice draw and we can go again."
For more reaction from tonight's goalscorer as well as the thoughts of Simon Grayson, head to PNEPlayerHD here now.