Laws Rues Penalty 'Lottery'

Wednesday boss Brian Laws was left disappointed at exiting the FA Cup at the 3rd Round stage through the penalty lottery but was proud of his charges in defeat.

The Owls lost 4-2 on penalties to Premiership strugglers Derby County at Hillsborough on Tuesday night, after Steve Watson had given Wednesday an early lead before Kenny Miller levelled in normal time.

But the Owls gaffer was pleased with the performance of his charges, who continued their fine form from the 2-0 Steel City derby victory over Sheffield United at the weekend against Paul Jewell's men.

'We've left it too late because it is a lottery when you get to penalties,' Laws told SWFC.co.uk.

'What a first half we had though, I thought we were outstanding. I wasn't sure whether we could keep the momentum going after Saturday's game against Sheffield United but the first half was as good, if not the best I have seen in a long, long time,' the Owls boss continued.

'We took the game to Derby and were battering them, we got one goal and I thought if we scored another one we would have buried them because we were all over them. They got that relief early in the second half and it probably settled their nerves a wee bit as the match got more even.'

Wednesday have a free weekend this weekend following the defeat, but Laws will surely be hoping for more of the same when he takes his troops to Wolves next Tuesday night.