Diao praises battling Potters

Published Feb. 20, 2010 12:10 p.m. ET

foxsports

Diao scored his last goal in 2002 but netted right at the death to maintain his side's unbeaten record in all competitions this year. "They're always at me in the dressing room, always after me saying 'you never score'," Diao told ESPN. "But it's important as a defensive midfielder to help the back four. "Each player has his role, that's why I'm not that much in front. "It's definitely an impressive run but the focus is always on the team. We have a good bunch of lads and everyone works together. "Team spirit is very strong and we show that on the pitch every time." Frederic Piquionne gave the home side the advantage after 35 minutes, but Robert Huth's header levelled matters five minutes after the break before Diao's winner. Andy Wilkinson was sent off for the visitors after 73 minutes and Huth admits that made it harder for them. "It wasn't the prettiest game in the first half," he said. "But we managed to score quickly after half-time. "Midweek we played with 10 men as well so it was another hard shift."