Derby County head coach Steve McClaren has admitted that he feels relieved after witnessing his team struggle to a 1-0 win over Southport in the FA Cup third round.
The Rams needed a 93rd-minute penalty from Chris Martin to see off the Conference Premier club, and McClaren believes that his players didn't deliver a "positive or smart" performance against a team 88 places below them in the English league pyramid.
The 53-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "This is the FA Cup and this was always going to be one of those times when the opposition is going to frustrate. We weren't positive or smart enough around the box, and the only way we were going to score was through a penalty.
"But credit to Southport and their fans, who created a great atmosphere. His team worked hard, defended, blocked and their keeper was magnificent. It was injury-time and I was dreading a replay in Southport."
Martin's late strike took his tally for the season to 17 goals in all competitions.
Darren Plant
