FA Cup: Boss Gary Bowyer hails 'phenomenal' Blackburn
Last updated on .From the section Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers manager Gary Bowyer has praised the "phenomenal" performance of his side as they knocked Stoke City out of the FA Cup.
Peter Crouch had given the Premier League team the lead early on.
But striker Josh King responded with a hat-trick and forward partner Rudi Gestede scored a penalty, as Potters' defender Geoff Cameron was sent off.
"Today was phenomenal and I'm delighted for everyone connected with the club," Bowyer told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"It's my second proudest day being in charge - the first was when I got appointed.
"You do your work, you identify areas you might be able to exploit and we felt, with what we went with, it would provide us an opportunity.
"Full praise to our players because when they went down so early they responded magnificently," Bowyer said.
The Lancashire side have now knocked out top-flight opposition in the last two rounds, after beating Swansea at Ewood Park in round four.
Rovers are now just one win away from playing at Wembley despite sitting ninth in the Championship, 11 points off the play-off places.
Asked if he enjoyed the win over the Potters, Bowyer responded: "No, not at all.
"They're a quality team - even with 10 men.
"The players deserve all the headlines they're going to get because they didn't get enough in the last round."
