'Even the Big Dipper isn't as exciting as that' - Holloway thrilled with win

Ian Holloway said that he couldn't contain his excitement as Swindon Town progressed 2-1 against Colchester United in the FA Cup.

Harry Anderson had given Colchester the lead with a fine low shot in the second half but Joel McGregor made it so another 30 minutes would be needed to separate the two sides.

There were opportunities at both ends of the pitch during extra time but two minutes after the break, Kabongo Tshimanga smashed in from close range to put Town into the hat for the next round.

Holloway said that after a packed week getting ready for the game, he was overcome with the excitement of his side's come from behind victory.

He said: "This was the maddest week that I have ever had and I think that I need an ice bath, go home and put my feet up.

"The excitement that I have got, which I haven't had for four years is quite incredible and it will come as no surprise that I have missed it.

"There is absolutely nothing like it. Even The Big Dipper at Blackpool is not as exhilarating as that.

"My lads didn't believe me but that was even before the second one and it didn't matter about the score because I was that elated with how they played.

"I worried that I had given them too much information but they were fantastic and look at the skill they have, it is beautiful.

"Well done to Colchester as well because I thought they played really well."

Holloway said that with the way his team went about implementing his instructions in his first game, he wouldn't have worried even if they had lost.

He said: "I have given them an awful lot of information in the last week and I wanted them to come out all guns blazing and play in the way that they think I want them to play - just like the youth team did the other night.

"I think we did that. There was a little wobble in the first half when we threw it to someone and they nearly scored.

"I thought that we played really well in the second half and although we went down due to a mistake with my shape, which I understand.

"Even if we had lost, I would have been delighted with the way the lads tried to do things.

"But to actually show the character to come back like we did and for everybody to give me what they did to keep going and we could even have won it before the end of the match."

Holloway added that he was very thankful to the fans for the way they got behind the team and willed them to victory.

He said: "I was delighted for the players and for the fans. Thank you so much because you must have enjoyed what you saw because you were with us the whole way.

"We were trying to bring everyone together and bring some smiles back and if they play like that I think we will."