Blackpool keeper Chris Maxwell said saving three shootout spot-kicks in the Seasiders' FA Cup upset of West Bromwich Albion made up for a Christmas spent suffering from coronavirus.
The 30-year-old Welsh stopper thwarted Kyle Edwards and Darnell Furlong from the spot before his match-winning save from Matheus Pereira sent Blackpool through.
Maxwell, along with team-mate Matty Virtue, tested positive for Covid-19 on 23 December and the cup tie was his first game back after missing two League One fixtures over the festive period.
"It's good to be back, spending 10 days away from the boys and then spending an extra three days getting back into the swing of things, it's been difficult," he told BBC Sport.
Blackpool manager Neil Critchley described his keeper as a "hero" and it was a dramatic high for Maxwell after a difficult period.
"It was awful," he said. "Not only feeling terrible for about eight days but also missing out on football games and training. It was tough and it's nice to be back and to contribute like I did today.
"I was lying in bed for about three days and felt really lethargic so it's nice to come through it."
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