David Dunn insisted that pride was his overriding emotion after watching his Barrow side take Derby County all the way in their Carabao Cup meeting at Pride Park on Saturday.
The Bluebirds gave the home side a real scare with a mixture of discipline and determination at the back allied with a real threat on the break as the First Round tie went to penalties.
Unfortunately for Barrow, the spot-kicks went in favour of the Championship outfit despite Joel Dixon pulling off two magnificent saves.
Afterwards, Dunn was full of praise for his players and then challenged them to maintain the high standards set on Saturday as they move closer to the League Two kick-off.
“I was so proud of how they performed,” Dunn told iFollow Bluebirds.
“We knew it was going to be a really, really big challenge for us coming here but the way they competed and the way they played was superb.
“I thought our game plan worked really well. Our shape was good and we looked really organised which frustrated Derby and limited them to very few chances.
“On another day we take one of the decent opportunities that came our way and it could have been a different story – if one of those goes in then it gives us something to hang on to.
“But coming here and getting a clean sheet is a very good performance so I stand here feeling very proud but there is that little tinge of disappointment.
“We’ve set a really high standard now and that’s what I said to the lads in the changing rooms after the game.”