Steven Schumacher praised the white-hot atmosphere which helped Wanderers secure a lead to take into the second leg of their League One play-off semi-final, writes Pete Oliver.
A second-half strike from Amario Cozier-Duberry will see Wanderers take a 1-0 advantage to Bradford City for the return next Thursday night.
And Schumacher hailed the part the fans played in helping his side strike the first blow in pursuit of a place in the final and a promotion shoot-out against either Stockport County or Stevenage.
“The atmosphere tonight was brilliant,” said the Wanderers’ boss. “You could tell what was at stake. Our fans were absolutely outstanding. It's the loudest I've ever heard in here and maybe one of the loudest atmospheres I've been involved in.
“They really helped us tonight and we're going to need that again on Thursday at Valley Parade. Obviously, their fans are going to be up for it and we know what it looks like with a full house there, which we had two weeks ago.
“So, yes, let's go and enjoy the challenge and see if we can get ourselves to Wembley.”
Wanderers almost grabbed a second goal through Cozier-Duberry, who hit a post moments after a superbly taken 10th goal of the season.
And Schumacher will be looking for more of that attacking threat allied to the kind of steeliness that brought a first clean sheet in nine games as the Whites try to complete the job in West Yorkshire.
“I thought that was really pleasing, especially later on when Bradford had a few corners and put a few crosses into the box,” he added. “We dealt with them really well and showed some good composure. That's something you've got to do against that type of play.
“Yes, it would have been great if we'd have got ourselves a two-goal cushion but it wasn't to be But the message this week will be ‘let's recover, go to Valley Parade and try score again and try and get on the front foot and make it even more difficult for Bradford to come back at us’.
“There's a lot of work to do. We know what the prize is, but we can't take our eye off the ball. We need to be focused. The objective now for the players is to rest and recover tomorrow, get in on Monday for the treatment that they need and get everybody out on the grass and get ready to prepare again.
“We know what's coming at Valley Parade. It'll be another really tight game and if we concentrate and we play as well as we can, then hopefully we can do enough to get through the tie.”
Wanderers went into the first leg without in-form striker Johnny Kenny, whose goal at Bradford – his fifth in five games – had guaranteed a top-six finish and shot at the play-offs. And Schumacher confirmed the on-loan Celtic man will play no further part in the promotion push due to a knee injury.
“He been really good for us. He's someone we've really enjoyed working with. He's been a threat for us, he’s scored goals, and unfortunately, he's going to miss the remainder of the season,” said the head coach.
“It’s disappointing for him and disappointing for the team, but we've had setbacks all year and lost big players and when there's a bit of adversity, it gives an opportunity for somebody else to step up. So, yes, we will miss Johnny, but we've got enough players to still be match winners.”
Watch the full interview on Wanderers TV