We celebrated like we’d won the World Cup, says Warnock after last-gasp draw

Posted Tuesday, April 03, 2018 by PA

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock described his side’s last-gasp draw at Sheffield United as perhaps the best point they have earned this season.

Substitute Anthony Pilkington struck at the death to extend second-placed Cardiff’s unbeaten run in the Championship to 13 games and move them eight points clear of Fulham in the battle for automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Leon Clarke had given the Blades a first-half lead, but they spurned a host of chances to seal a victory which would have moved them into a play-off place.

“We had to hang in there and showed a lot of character. You never say never with our lot,” Warnock said.

“When you can grind results out, it’s a great attribute to have. All credit to the lads, they showed a lot of guts and determination.

“You could see what it meant to the lads. It could be the best point of the season in the circumstances.

“It’s great to know that with seven games to go we’ve got that in our locker.

“I thought the pitch was very difficult and they adapted to it better than us.

“I thought we were a lot better in the second half. We knew we had to make substitutions and I thought they all worked.

“They (United) had to win tonight, really. I think they’ll know they’ve been in a game.

“If you came in our dressing room now, you’d have thought we’d won the World Cup.”

United manager Chris Wilder could not hide his disappointment at seeing victory snatched away.

He said: “I thought we did more than enough to win. We played well, but when you play well you’ve got to win.

“We moved the ball around the pitch and competed, but it’s that last little bit about putting teams to bed. We’ve not done it and paid the ultimate price.

“We dominated a side that is heading towards the Premier League. To only get a point out of it has left me scratching my head. We have to be more clinical.

“Their effort should have been a consolation goal. We just needed to win one big header. It was a decent finish.

“We’ve had a go and the supporters have enjoyed the way we’ve gone about it. We’ve got to keep believing in what we’re doing and keep improving.”