Tranmere cup win a 'career highlight' - Bowyer

Gary Bowyer signed a new two-year contract with Burton Albion in June

Burton Albion boss Gary Bowyer has called the Brewers' Carabao Cup penalty shootout win against Tranmere Rovers one of the highlights of his career.

Defender Finn Delap, 20, struck the winning penalty for Bowyer's youthful side, who came from behind in the shootout to set up a second-round tie with Lincoln City.

"Absolutely buzzing - it's one of the highlights of my career because we had three [players] making their debuts," Bowyer told BBC Radio Derby.

"I put it up before the start of the game, the number of appearances in the [Tranmere] backline alone. Each player had 400 appearances.

"I don't think we've got 50 altogether, bar Ben Whitfield obviously.

"I'm very reserved at times with my praise for everyone but that was unbelievable. I'm so proud. I hear managers come on and say 'so proud' but that was amazing."

Bowyer was also impressed by 18-year-old Polish goalkeeper Kamil Dudek - one of the three players making his first-team debut - who saved Tranmere substitute Lee O'Connor's spot-kick in the shootout.

"We just said, if we have to take it to penalties, Dudek wins it for us on penalties, we actually said that," he added.

"He nodded at me with a smile on his face – incredible. I can't praise him highly enough for his performance tonight.

"It's memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives, no matter what happens in their careers.

"When they bump into somebody on holiday in 10, 20 years time they can go 'remember that night at Tranmere' and that is what you play the game for. Amazing, brilliant."