Peterborough progressed to the third round of the FA Cup on Tuesday night after a mad, eight-goal replay against Bradford.
Peterborough led 3-1 at the break but had conceded that advantage by the 72nd minute when George Miller put the home side 4-3 ahead. Ivan Toney grabbed the equaliser for Peterborough - and completed his hat-trick - in the 84th minute.
After 30 minutes of extra-time which failed to produce a goal, the game went to a shootout. It was there that Mayo goalkeeper, Conor O'Malley - formerly of St. Pat's - was the hero.
The 24-year-old, who joined the club in August 2017, saved three penalties.
Karl Henry to take the Bradford penalty....O'Malley SAVES #BRAPET
— Peterborough United (@theposh) December 11, 2018
Penalties - Bradford 2 Peterborough 2
Jack Payne with a poor effort. Conor O'Malley easily save.#pufc— BBC Cambs Sport (@BBCCambsSport) December 11, 2018
Bradford have to score this to keep in the cup-tie. Caddis to take....SAVED! Posh win! #BRAPET
— Peterborough United (@theposh) December 11, 2018
Peterborough manager, Steve Evans, gave credit to O'Malley. Though, he did also offer some criticism of his performance prior to the shootout.
"I don't think he's had a fantastic game tonight, he's gotten involved in some things that he doesn't have to," Evans told the club website.
But he's kept us in the cup tie. At 4-4, he made a brilliant save in the second half of extra-time. You look at that and you say, 'Well done, son.'
Huge credit to Mark Tyler, he the goalkeeping coach. He's been getting criticised internally for penalties when we don't get near them. He's said to me today that he's worked with both of them.
Club owner, Darragh MacAnthony, also praised O'Malley.
Who doesn’t love an entertaining game of hoof ball 🤣🤣🤣. Brilliant resilience as usual from boys to come back from 4-3 down away when many would wither away. Well done COM on penalty saves 👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻. Round 3 where we come. 9 unbeaten & Big Ivan on 12 goals by December 🥰. Stress! https://t.co/1u50eUumUd
— Darragh MacAnthony (@DMAC102) December 11, 2018
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
