Wolves hero Matt Doherty's shock at taking winning free kick in Stoke FA Cup win
FA Cup hero Matt Doherty admits he was surprised to be given the chance to take the free-kick which sealed Wolves' first win in the competition for six years.
The defender put in a super show for the visitors in a 2-0 victory over Premier League Stoke on Saturday.
Wolves were 1-0 up through Helder Costa's first half strike and coming under increasing pressure as the Potters attempted to stay in the competition.
But when Wolves striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson was brought down outside the Stoke box after 79 minutes, Doherty seized his opportunity.
His free-kick arrowed into the net from 20 yards and sparked delirious celebrations among the 4,600 travelling fans who made the trip up the M6.
And Doherty admitted he didn't think his team-mates would let him have the ball.
"I haven't been on free kicks for years," he said.
"We did some set-pieces in training and I said I'll take one and I put it right in the top corner.
"I went over there trying to get it but I didn't expecting the boys to actually give it to me. I wasn't meant to be on free-kicks but I just ran over and asked to take it.
"When I took it, I was just thinking I'm going to put it in and then the keeper made a step and once they've made a step, they've got no chance.
"As a defender scoring a goal is the best feeling ever and, yeah, it felt pretty good."
And Doherty made the most of his chance to mark the goal: "It was a pretty good celebration, I was already half-way through my knee slide before the ball went in.
"I think the whole team was on top of me, I couldn't breathe."
Doherty also paid tribute to goalkeeper Carl Ikeme for keeping Wolves in front.
"We made some changes and we played really well, I thought we deserved to win it in the end," said the Irishman.
"I know 'Kemes' made a few unbelievably good saves but we had chances first half.
"We didn't take the chances early on but we didn't concede which was the important thing as we have made a habit of conceding goals early in the Championship.
"Conceding early doors against a Premier League side wouldn't have been the best."
Doherty also thanked the travelling Wolves fans for their vocal support.
"They've travelled in numbers, it's the least they deserve.
"They've stuck with us all season even though our form hasn't been great, they always travel with us."
