Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder admitted relief after their 3-2 FA Cup defeat of Bristol Rovers.
Jayden Bogle's second-half goal secured the win - Wilder's 100th as United manager, and their first in any competition since they beat Chelsea 3-0 in the Premier League on 11 July.
"This was a big day for us - because of what's happened, it's been a tough week," Wilder said.
"The consequences of not getting a result today would have really impacted on the group. The players have taken a lot.
"Everybody in the country would have sniffed this. Every expert, pundit and supporter wouldn't have been surprised if we had been turned over today. But there was a good attitude.
"It was always going to be a tough cup tie, away from home and not being in form at all. It was against a team with nothing to lose and we had everything to lose today."
