BARROW boss Stephen Clemence revealed penalty hero Paul Farman predicted he would save the final penalty before the club’s dramatic shootout victory over Championship Derby County in the EFL Cup.

Clemence was beaming with pride after his side secured their spot in the third round of the competition for the first time since 1968. 

After the game finished goalless in normal time, Farman’s save from Craig Forsyth’s spot kick sparked jubilant celebration around Holker Street. 

And on his number one, Clemence said: “Paul Farman is a top, top goalkeeper, I can tell you that now.

“I knew that before I came to the club. He’s had a very good career, and I’m really happy to have him between [the] sticks at this football club.

"He made some good saves at the weekend, he made some excellent saves in normal time, and for him to have his moment when he saves the penalty at the death I’m really pleased with him.

“He said to me when we had the huddle before the spot kicks that ‘I’m going to save the last penalty for you gaffer’ and he did it.

“He stuck to his word, fair play to him.”

Kian Spence saw his penalty saved by Swedish international Jacob Widell Zetterstorm.

His team-mates immediately rushed to console him and Clemence stressed he will bounce back from the disappointment.

The former Gills’ boss added: “Kian will be fine. He had the courage to step up and take one.

“I said that to the players before they took them ‘if you miss, you miss, but at least you have the courage to step up and have a go’.

“All I ask of them is to pick their spot and go for it. That’s what they did. He hasn’t missed the target, the keeper’s made a good save.

"Kian will bounce back no problem. He scored at the weekend, he’s a very good player. It’s one of those things. Somebody has to miss in a shootout.”

And attention now turns to tonight’s live draw, where a glamour tie potentially awaits the Bluebirds.

"It would be nice for the owners to get a tie away at a big club,” admitted Clemence. 

“A big club for me would be a Tottenham or a Liverpool. I’d be delighted to go back to one of those.

“It would be great for the boys to get a Premier League team. Go away to a Premier League stadium. It’s what they deserve after the way they’ve performed this season.

“I’m really proud of the boys and proud of the football club. The supporters turned up in their numbers and really got behind them in what was a difficult game.

“Derby have got some really good players. They’re a Championship team and for us to go toe-to-toe with them, I felt was fantastic from the lads.

“Paul Farman’s had to make a couple of good saves, but I thought we had moments in the game too.

“I’m really pleased for the boys and pleased for the football club.”