Tranmere boss Nigel Adkins was clearly relieved after his side secured a 1-0 win over Sutton thanks to Rob Apter’s late strike.
Apter delighted the Prenton Park faithful following a run of four defeats in Rovers’ previous five matches.
Adkins said: “It’s the right result and it’s an important result, even if it did take us a long time to get there.
“Great credit to the players, though. We’ve had two really long journeys this week and you could see how the opposition are.
“They’ve got some big players and the goalkeeper likes to kick the ball the full length of the pitch.
“We have to compete, but we did that and we’ve got the result. Maybe I’d have liked the players to pass the ball a bit better and be better in possession, but again huge credit to the players because they’ve ground this one out.
“The application and the character shown by the players really pleased me overall. Sometimes it is fine margins – that’s the reality of it in this division.
“There are a lot of good things that we’ve done of late, and we have to make sure we keep plugging away because we’re not far away at all.”
After a largely uneventful first period, there was drama shortly after the restart when Rovers fluffed a penalty chance.
After Ryan Jackson had brought down Harvey Saunders in the box, Sutton keeper Steve Arnold turned hero as he brilliantly saved Connor Jennings’ spot-kick.
Both sides then went on to trade numerous chances, before Apter fired home the dramatic winner with time running out.
Sutton boss Steve Morison has won just one game since taking over the reins at the start of the year and his side remain six points from safety.
Morison said: “I’m just gutted for the players and the fans that travelled up here.
“We gave a decent account of ourselves I thought, and carried out our game-plan pretty well.
“We knew what we were going to be up against here, and I know I might sound like a broken record saying that I thought we performed well after losing one-nil.
“The lads need to find it within themselves to get over the line in games. We were excellent on Tuesday night, so it’s really frustrating that we haven’t been able to get something here today.
“If you don’t shoot you don’t score, or if you don’t buy a lottery ticket you don’t win – I’ve said that to the lads.
“Don’t worry I’m not asking them to pass the ball around the box and then don’t shoot.
“We just need to get to those areas and be free to put the ball in the back of the net and show no fear.”
'Who knows what will happen?' - Celtic loanee Idah unsure of future after Scottish Cup matchwinner
Adam Idah revelled in his last-gasp winner for Celtic in their Scottish Cup final victory over Rangers, but admits he is uncertain of his future.
The Norwich City loanee, who arrived from Carrow Road in February on a deal until the end of the season, was the hero at Hampden Park as the Scottish Premiership champions completed the double in dramatic fashion.
Substitute Idah reacted quickest in the 90th minute, with the final goalless and seemingly heading for extra-time, pouncing on the loose ball to slot away the rebound after Jack Butland could only parry Paulo Bernardo's fierce strike.
And the Republic of Ireland international revealed his joy at delivering the goods for Brendan Rodgers' side at such a crucial moment.
"I came here to try and score as many goals as I can," he told BBC Scotland. "I didn't think I’d score a goal like this, in front of all these fans – it's an amazing feeling.
"It's hard to put it into words. Everyone can see what it means to the players, the fans. Especially from a boy, being Irish, always supporting Celtic, it's amazing.
"Football's a tricky situation. I do love it here. It's a great club. I'm still contracted with Norwich City, who knows what will happen?"
Meanwhile, skipper Callum McGregor saluted the character demonstrated by his team-mates in securing the double against their bitter rivals.
"The mentality in this group, inside this building, inside this club, the fanbase – we just want to win trophies," he said.
"We know it's never going to be perfect, you're never going to turn up in all the cup finals. Rangers are a good team, they made it a good old-fashioned derby game, big tackles in there.
"But this group – they find the moment of quality, they stick together and they come out winners.
"Honestly, I’m delighted. If we turned up today and didn't win, everyone forgets about the league, we understand the pressure we're under."
Celtic 1-0 Rangers: Idah late show seals Scottish Cup glory for Hoops
Adam Idah scored a last-gasp winner as Celtic claimed the Scottish Cup by beating Old Firm rivals Rangers 1-0 on Saturday.
Idah came on from the bench to net a 90th-minute winner for the Hoops, who secured a league and cup double in Brendan Rodgers' first season back in charge.
Rangers thought they had taken the lead midway through the second half at Hampden Park, when Abdallah Sima tapped in from on the line.
However, VAR came to Celtic's rescue, with the onfield referee overturning his decision to give the goal when the replays showed Nicolas Raskin had pushed Hoops goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was playing in his last match before retirement.
Celtic made their good fortune count, with Idah reacting sharply to slam home from close range after Jack Butland spilled a shot.
It gave Rangers no time to respond, as Celtic sealed their 42nd Scottish Cup crown.
Data Debrief: Hart bows out on top
Hart confirmed his retirement several weeks ago, and the former England goalkeeper goes out on the highest note possible, with a domestic double.
The 37-year-old retires with six titles to his name with Celtic, following on from five trophies during his time with Manchester City.
In what proved to be his final Scottish Cup campaign, Hart conceded five goals in five appearances, keeping three clean sheets and recording a save percentage of 66.67.
Al-Riyadh 2-2 Al-Nassr: Laporte sent off for punch as Al-Nemer salvages point
Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte was sent off for punching Mohammed Al-Aqel on the arm as Al-Nassr played out a 2-2 draw with Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League.
Meshari Al-Nemer's 97th-minute strike salvaged a point for Al-Nassr, who had trailed for over half the game and played with a one-man disadvantage for over half an hour.
Otavio had put Al-Nassr ahead only for Andre Gray to drag the hosts level, before Al-Aqel gave David Ospina no chance with a terrific overhead kick to make it 2-1.
Al-Nassr's position was put in further jeopardy when Laporte was sent off following a bizarre off-the-ball incident which saw him grab and punch Al-Aqel on the elbow, while Cristiano Ronaldo came up with a glaring miss from Sadio Mane's pass across the six-yard box.
Al-Nemer levelled at the death for Al-Nassr, though they still sit some 14 points adrift of champions Al-Hilal, who could complete an unbeaten season against Al-Wehda on Monday.
Data Debrief: Laporte's horror show
It was a game to forget for Laporte, whose bizarre punch on Al-Aqel put Al-Nassr up against it versus a team still in danger of relegation.
Laporte did not attempt a single tackle in the game while his four duels contested were the joint-fewest of every outfield starter (alongside Khalid Al-Shuwayyi). He was also sent off in Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League quarter-final tie against Al Ain in March.
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