MATT Jansen praised the ‘big characters’ in his dressing room as Chorley twice came from behind to secure a historic 17th Lancashire Challenge Trophy.

The Magpies needed a penalty shootout to eventually claim victory over their Evo-Stik First Division North opponents Lancaster City.

Jake Cottrell and Darren Stephenson scored in normal time and Sam Ashton was the shootout hero, saving two of the Dolly Blues’ spot kicks before Paul Jarvis fired in the winning penalty.

But the National League North side made hard work of it, conceding within the first two minutes to Zach Clark, and then going behind again just a minute after Cottrell had equalised.

“We started slowly and there was a lot said at half time, we needed big characters, a team performance, a togetherness and we produced that,” said Jansen.

“At times it was difficult in the second half, they sat back and countered us but when we’re throwing men forward we’re always vulnerable to the counter attack, but we weathered that and managed to nick one through the penalty.

“We did it the hard way but a win’s a win. It was great for the neutral, but it was horrible for the manager.”

Jansen, who said it was ‘fantastic’ to claim his first silverware as manager, was disappointed with the way that City’s quick start had rattled his side.

“I said to the lads they would come out fighting and they would come out with aggression and desire and we have to match that and we didn’t do that, that was the disappointing thing I mentioned at half time,” he said.

“I’ve got a great team spirit in that dressing room. They are fighters, they are together, and they showed that in the second half.

“It’s great, to win it at the Macron Stadium, it was a good atmosphere, it’s great for the lads to sample this and play on a decent pitch for a change. I love winning, it took a lot time coming but we got there in the end.”

And Jansen praised hero Ashton, who as well as saving two penalties also produced a sensational save with his feet to deny Billy Akrigg with the score at 2-1.

“I always fancied us with penalties. Sam’s outstanding,” said the Magpies chief.

“He goes the right way for almost every penalty and gets to most of them, historically he’s done it time and again, so I was confident going into that shootout.”