Changes pay off for proud Buckle

The Town chief made eight changes to his team, with only Alex Lawless, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner and Arnaud Mendy remaining from the side that thrashed Barrow 6-1 on Tuesday night as late goals from Adam Watkins and Andre Gray saw them progress to Monday’s draw.

Buckle said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve won. We did make changes and there’s always a risk when you make as many changes as I did that you don’t get the result.

“A lot of players have come in haven’t played for a bit and we were up against a good team, I must say they looked an excellent side, but I’m so proud of boys who’ve come here to get us over the line.”

Speaking on why he made so many changes, Buckle continued: “First and foremost, they were players I thought were good enough to win the game.

“I’ve said all along I wouldn’t change a team unless I thought they could win the game.”

Hat-trick hero Jon Shaw also got a rest despite playing in previous rounds as Buckle said: “He’s got a bad cut on his head and we’ve got two big men in the club in (Scott) Rendell and Shaw.

“I’ve chosen to play one recently so it made sense for Scott to play. There’s nothing between then, they’re both excellent players.

“Overall I think this was always going to be a tough game no matter which team played.

“It was one that shows our profressionalism, it shows that we do things right and that we don’t underestimate anyone.”

Skelmersdale can consider themselves unlucky not have forced a replay and almost took the lead late on themselves when Warren Bellows’ shot was deflected narrowly over by Jake Howells.

Visiting boss Tommy Lawson said: “I was really proud of our performance. We worked very hard right up until the death and I think the people of Skelmersdale can be very proud of them, I certainly am.”

“I thought we could win the game. We had a couple of chances late on that on another day could have gone in.

“I don’t know how the lad has headed that away for a corner, it was great defending, but we had the opportunities to win the game.”

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