Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws refused to point an accusing finger at Glenn Whelan and Kenny Lunt following his side's FA Cup exit at the hands of Derby.

Both players were denied by goalkeeper Lewis Price during the compelling penalty shoot-out which decided Tuesday night's third-round replay at Hillsborough.

Kenny Miller's fifth goal since joining Derby from Celtic had earlier forced the game into extra-time and penalties, cancelling out a rare Steve Watson strike.

Whelan and Lunt then missed from the spot but Miller, Eddie Lewis, Rob Earnshaw and Craig Fagan made no mistake and ensured it was a night to savour for the Barclays Premier League's bottom side.

Laws, however, was pragmatic in his assessment of taking the lead three times in the two encounters with the Rams - the first meeting ended 2-2 at Pride Park earlier this month - but still ending up being dumped out of the competition in the cruellest of fashion.

"That's the nature of the beast I'm afraid," said Laws.

"They took their penalties well and our 'keeper didn't have a chance with any of them.

"But I'm certainly not pointing the finger. You've got to stand up and be brave to take them.

"There were players who didn't want to take one because they were so tired. You've got to show courage to take a penalty and you've got to show courage to miss them."

Wednesday got off to the perfect start as Watson scored with barely nine minutes gone and the hosts could have been two or three goals to the good before Miller struck for the second time in successive games against the Coca-Cola Championship side.

Laws praised the manner in which his players took the game to their opponents and remained upbeat despite defeat.

He added: "I was a little bit concerned about how the players would react from Saturday [the 2-0 win over bitter rivals Sheffield United] and whether I would get the same performance but let me tell you I think they topped it in the first half so credit where credit is due.

"We certainly took the game to them."

Victory was Derby boss Paul Jewell's first since taking charge of the club in late November and his relief was almost tangible.

"Our penalties were terrific," said Jewell. "Goalkeepers can't lose in penalty situations really but fair play to Lewis he's made some good saves."

Derby now host Preston in the fourth round this Saturday and Jewell warned: "It won't be easy.

"But if we play as well as we can then we'll have every chance of progressing."

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