Fleetwood Town finished off the season at home on a high after a late goal from Ashley Nadesan gave the Cod Army all three points against Sunderland in the 2-1 win at Highbury.
The Black Cats found themselves ahead in the match thanks to a goal from skipper Lee Cattermole, but it was Town who would have the last laugh with an impressive second half display.
Paddy Madden got the equaliser in the match – making that 19 in all competitions for the Irishman – and it was Nadesan’s late header after Ross Wallace’s corner that sealed the win for Joey Barton’s side!
On the late drama at Highbury…
“It was brilliant to see the celebrations at the end of the match. For us to send the fans off home really happy after the last home game of the season is fantastic. Tonight was a big game, even though there wasn’t anything on the line for us, we had a team against us who were going for promotion.
“Sunderland are a team that we felt we should have beat away from home, and for us we want to compete against the best teams in league. I look back at the season and I don’t think there has been many times where we’ve got a late winner so it was just fantastic for the fans, the club and the players because we are all buzzing in the changing room!”
On who got the last touch for the winner…
“I am going to have to be absolutely honest here and give the goal to Nadders [Ashley Nadesan]. I have actually closed my eyes when the ball came in and headed the back of his head thinking it was the football, and then I ran off with the Alan Shearer celebrations.
“We’ve watched it back and he does get the last touch so fair play to him. Ash has been fantastic since he has come back from Carlisle and he has grafted a lot to get in and around the first team.
“I am claim the assist though. I told Ross [Wallace] with the final kick off the game to put the ball onto the keeper as we felt he was flapping at the ball a few times and we got right in amongst him and there’s where the goal came from.”
On the fans, their support in the game and over the course of the season….
“They’ve been unbelievable. We are a football club with a fairly small fan base but week in week out they create something for us and create that spark. As soon as we scored the equaliser, they spurred us on to go and get the winner and for that I want to thank the fans for what they give to us on a weekly basis.
“We hope now that we can send them all off happy at the end of the season, and bring them back next campaign ready for it. We wish them all the best for the summer”