Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has hailed the passion of his young players after they secured a Championship play-off spot in heart-stopping fashion.
His side's 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, alongside Bolton's 2-2 draw with Blackpool, saw Pearson's men leap into the last six with just seconds to spare.
Anthony Knockaert's 91st-minute strike was all there was to separate the two sides as City defeated Forest in the league at the City Ground for the first time since 1972.
"The players have to take a lot of credit for dealing with the situation today," said Pearson.
"We are a young side and we went behind after three minutes so it couldn't have started any worse for us.
"But we showed a lot of desire and control to get back in the game and go in front.
"I just tried to keep a balanced view of what was happening out there. The players were dead on their feet.
"Both sets of players have given an awful lot today physically, and it is quite an emotional day as well.
"It felt like a cup final, there was a lot at stake for both sides.
"We had to try and win the game, a draw was never going to be enough, so we took quite a few risks and it worked out well for us today. On other days things haven't worked for us."
City came into the game having won just two games out of their last 16 league games, needing to win and also for Bolton to fail to beat Blackpool.
"There is a bit of relief there," said Pearson. "This has been a big season for a number of players. We are a pretty young squad and I think they have dealt with the pressures well.
"We had an outside chance and we have taken it."
"There are a lot of positives to take from today and maybe that will give us some impetus going forward.
"I have to say 2013 hasn't been a great year for us so far but we went into the final day of the season with an outside chance but we are there and it is just about making the most of it now."
City will face Watford in the play-off semi-final with the first leg at the King Power Stadium on Thursday.
