Eddie Howe lavished praise on goalkeeper Adam Federici after his hat trick of penalty shootout saves sent Bournemouth through to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup at the expense of Preston North End.
The Cherries were twice pegged back late on in the third round clash at Deepdale as Preston forced extra-time and then spot-kicks, where Federici emerged as the hero in a 3-2 triumph.
Shaun MacDonald's first-half header had been cancelled out by another nodded effort from substitute Jordan Hugill in the 84th minute and although Marc Pugh restored the visitors' lead early in extra time, he conceded a penalty that Daniel Johnson converted in the 118th minute.
Federici was beaten down to his right on that occasion and three Preston players, Hugill, Alan Browne and Johnson, tried to pick out the same corner in the shootout only to be repelled on each occasion.
"He's an outstanding goalkeeper and he's made some great saves there that's got us through and the lads have shown great composure to score at the other end," said Howe.
Australia international Federici signed off from previous club Reading with a clanger in the FA Cup semifinal loss against Arsenal at Wembley.
However, when Howe brought him to the south coast this summer, he was convinced of his quality.
"He's an outstanding, experienced international goalkeeper who we certainly believe in," Howe added
"He's also a great character and brilliant with the lads, even though he's not playing at the moment he's certainly giving competition for places."
The Cherries fielded nine changes from the side that defeated Sunderland three days ago and Howe was happy that his much-changed XI eventually came through a gruelling encounter despite Preston's pair of responses.
"The pleasing thing from our perspective is we've been pegged back twice during the game but we've still had enough quality to come through and win the game," he said.
"Credit to Preston, they never gave up. It's a difficult place to come and win so we're delighted to go through."
The Lilywhites came into this contest on the back of a four-game winless streak in the Championship, and manager Simon Grayson called for a reaction following their more recent loss at Brentford, where they had led before being defeated 2-1.
So while they were unable to replicate their second-round shock when they eliminated Watford, the spirit shown, particularly in the second period, left their boss satisfied.
"They'll be disappointed in the result but we've said they can be very proud and pleased with what they've done tonight," said Grayson.
"They showed a lot of character and worked extremely hard and showed all of the things that we asked of them after the weekend with that second-half performance.
"I'm pleased with them and disappointed to go out but if you're going to lose a game and respond after a disappointing performance that was the way to do it tonight."