Fulham manager Martin Jol was full of praise for Burton after his men squeezed past the League Two team in the Capital One Cup.
The Cottagers needed penalties to reach round three after a scare at the Pirelli Stadium, prevailing 5-4.
Jol’s men looked comfortable with the first-half lead given to them by Adel Taarabt but Jack Dyer, who saw his penalty saved by David Stockdale in the shoot-out, equalised after 85 to send the tie into extra time.
Substitute Michael Symes put Burton in front but Fulham sub Hugo Rodallega levelled things up again with three minutes remaining and it went to penalties.
“It could have been a bad night for us,” said Jol. “The crowd smelt blood but it turned out nice in the end.
“We put a strong side out because we wanted to win the tie. In England the lower league sides make it difficult for you, and they made it difficult for us.
“We had all the play for about 78-80 minutes but then towards the end and in extra time they had their spell.
“But I am pleased with the resiliance of my squad, they showed that they wanted to get through.
“I was impressed with Burton, they are a good side. They have a great home record, I think it was the best in their division last season.
“I wish them all the best for the remainder of the season, I think they will do very well.”
Dyer, Burton’s third penalty taker in the shoot out, saw his spot-kick saved by Stockdale.
That miss came immediately after Bryan Ruiz had a lucky escape – his penalty striking the post but ricocheting into the back of the net off of unfortunate Albion goalkeeper Dean Lyness.
John Arne Riise then belted home the final penalty to send the Premier League team through.
On Ruiz’s spot kick, Jol joked: “That was very fortunate. I don’t like left-footers taking penalties – but John Arne Riise finished it off thankfully.”
