Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that his side deserved their late equaliser during tonight's FA Cup tie with West Ham United.
The Toffees needed a 91st-minute strike from Romelu Lukaku to keep them from crashing out of the Cup at the first hurdle after James Collins had given the Hammers an earlier lead.
Lukaku also had a goal disallowed in the second half, and Martinez believes that it would have been a "crime" if his side had failed to get anything out of the game.
"It would have been a crime if we had been out of the Cup. I feel very unfortunate not to be able to allow Romelu Lukaku's disallowed goal in a physical game. It is a normal contact," he told BT Sport.
"I am pleased with the character and the reaction we showed. We are low on confidence, but it was a phenomenal reaction and it could easily be a turning point. First half we created the best opportunities and didn't take them. Then, we were open to conceding from set pieces.
"But the character we showed, when we're not in a great mood at the moment, was of a huge satisfaction. The replay was a huge reward and we look forward to that. The late equaliser could be a turning point."
Everton will now face a replay at Upton Park, with the winner going on to visit either Doncaster Rovers or Bristol City.
Barney Corkhill
