Fleetwood Town made history in the Carabao Cup after progressing into the second round after Town won 4-3 on penalties at Gresty Road.
Goalkeeper Cairns – who was given the number one shirt in pre-season – was the man of the moment after saving Perry Ng’s spot kick from 12 yards.
The 25-year old was one of three players to remain in Joey Barton’s eleven from Saturday’s victory at Oxford, and he was very proud to be part of history on Tuesday night.
Here are the key quotes from Alex's post-match interview…
On making history in the Carabao Cup…
“I think the players and I used our past in the competition as motivation, and you could especially see that in the second-half as we came out flying.
“Even in the first-half I thought we had control of the game and I know the lads are absolutely buzzing to have got through to the second round of the competition.”
On being the hero in the penalty shoot-out…
“As goalkeepers, we all do love a penalty shoot-out and luckily for myself, I am on the positive end of one.
“It is a lottery at the end of the day and I know that I have full belief that any shot that comes my way, I will save it. It’s them versus me in a dead ball situation and I backed myself.
“It is funny because when I was in the youth team at Leeds United, we came to Crewe in the Youth Cup and it was another penalty shoot-out. We got through so Gresty Road is a good place for me.
“Ash Hunter’s penalty has sent us through and I think we need to take a lot of confidence forward with us into the next round.”
Habit on winning games…
“This is something ourselves as players and the gaffer wants to install into us, enjoying that winning feeling.
“It is absolutely horrible when you lose, but when we win, however it comes, we need to enjoy it and tonight we did that.
“Crewe did well and played their part, and I wish them all the best for the season. For me, I just felt in the second-half we just turned it on.”