Fleetwood Town hero Alex Cairns happy to save vital penalty and help young players

Cairns' save from Ethan Robson's spot-kick was crucial in Fleetwood winning through to the third round of the Papa John's Trophy at their Fylde coast neighbours' expense - as the other nine penalties which followed Tuesday's goalless draw at Highbury all found the net.

The 27-year-old also denied Keshi Anderson when the visitors created the night's most clear-cut opportunity, but a well-marshalled young Fleetwood defence otherwise gave Cairns a quiet night.

He said: "This competition is good for lads to get games and to show what you are about, and to save a penalty and get a clean sheet is really nice.

"I got a hand to two more of the penalties, so I was disappointed not to save more than one. But when you do save one you'd like to think that we would put ours away with the quality we have in the dressing room. And that's what happened, so happy days.

"When called upon I try to deliver at all times. At some point in the game a team like Blackpool will get a bit of joy and that's when I was needed to make the save from Anderson, and if I can do that I'm confident the team will go and win games."

As one of the senior players in a youthful line-up, Cairns knows his role on Tuesday was not just to make key saves.

"I felt good going into the game, and I kept talking to the younger boys at the back and helping them to learn the game," he added.

"The experienced boys really took the performance on, especially in the second half, and it was a good night for us.

"We work on defending set-plays and game situations, and the lads took that on board tonight. They defended crosses and corners well and really showed that they have a real chance to break into the first team.

"We have a brilliant squad and there's constantly the pressure of players trying to break into the first team, which is what you want.

" The young boys are doing that and are doing a great job because you really need that competition for places."

But the competition isn't one Cairns is winning at present. Now in his fifth season at the club and with more than 100 League One appearances for Fleetwood under his belt, the Yorkshiremen has fallen behind summer signing Jayson Leutwiler in the pecking order since early October.

Five of Cairns' nine appearances this season have come in cup competitions but he maintains a positive attitude.

"For me, it's always about training hard," he said. "All the keepers know there's one position we are playing for and all I can do is perform for the team when I'm called upon. Once I've done that I'll move on to the next game, whenever that is for me.

" I'm in my third season now working for the gaffer (Joey Barton) and he knows what I'm about, and if he wants me to be part of the team that's my job

"The good thing about the squad is that we've got competition in pretty much every position. We'll take this performance on into the weekend and get back to winning ways in the league.

"The Christmas period is always hard and you have to be robust. But if you come out of it well you can propel on to have a successful season, and that's what we want to do."