Ards interim manager Daryl Phillips praised his side for “digging in deep” after they beat holders Crusaders on penalties in the Irish Cup fifth round.
Patrick Caffola had edged Ards ahead with Jordan Forsythe levelling the tie.
Ethan Taggart then netted the winning penalty in the shootout after Alex Moore had saved from Billy Joe Burns to complete the the major cup upset.
“We asked everyone to go above and beyond and to a man they did that,” said Phillips.
“We had one training session before the game and we came up with a plan which we carried out, so immense credit to every single player.
“We were the walking wounded by the end, but the players dug in and they deserve this.”
Ards sacked boss Matthew Tipton last week after a poor run of form which left them languishing in 10th place in the Championship table.
Phillips, who was appointed as interim manager alongside goalkeeping coach Paul Kee, applauded the performance of goalkeeper Alex Moore, who pulled off a number of saves to keep Ards in the game.
“Alex was exceptional out there, as was everyone. We needed Alex to pull off save after save, but coming here, you know what you’re up against.”
Phillips added: “They’ve won the Irish Cup the last two years and we knew they would put us under a lot of pressure and we would have to ride it out.
“Thankfully we did and with a bit of luck we got there in the end.”
Ards will now face Institute in the sixth round at the Brandywell on 3 February.
‘That is the romance of the cup’
Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter was frustrated with the manner of the home defeat, which prevents the north Belfast side from trying to retain the Irish Cup for the third successive season.
After equalising and then pushing for a winner, the Crues were dented a huge blow when they were reduced to 10 men on 71 minutes.
Goalkeeper Jordan Williamson was shown a straight red card for handling the ball outside the box. As a result, 17-year-old Ryan Kerr made his senior debut between the posts.
During extra-time Jordan Owens had a strike cleared off the line while Ross Clarke hit the post.
“It’s very disappointing when you go out of the Irish Cup at this stage as holders. It is a game where we have created 10 guilt-edged chances to score and we missed them all,” admitted Baxter.
“They’ve got into our box once and scored and that will be our disappointment. Credit to Ards for staying in the game, we peppered them with everything, but we couldn’t get the breakthrough. That is football.
“Moore has made sensational saves and credit to him, he was man-of-the-match by a distance but we should have had more clinical finishing and when it comes to penalties it is always a lottery.”
Baxter continued: “Congratulations to Ards, to come to Seaview and walk out with a victory is testament to them.
“I spoke to their chairman Warren Patton after the game and he said he was nearly in tears, so that is how great that is for them.
“We have enjoyed an incredible ride [in the Irish Cup] and that [result] is the romance of the cup.”