Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Dillon Phillips has admitted that the mistake he made against Sunderland in the League One play-off final last season still haunts him now.
The 24-year-old was an important player for Charlton last season and played a vital role in helping Lee Bowyer's side reach the play-offs, although he made a huge mistake in the opening few moments of the final.
Charlton got off to the worst possible start in the final, when Phillips totally misjudged defender Naby Sarr's backpass, allowing the ball to roll past him into the net, giving Sunderland the lead after just five minutes at Wembley.
The goalkeeper recovered to make a couple of important saves as Charlton came from behind to win 2-1 but the match will be remember in many ways for Sarr's calamitous own goal.
During a recent interview with Sky Sports, Phillips had admitted that the mistake still haunts him now, although he is relieved that it did not end up costing Charlton the game.
"I don't know how I would feel if we didn't come back and win the game. I'd like to think I would have got over it but it would have been more difficult," Phillips said.
"It still plays on my mind now what happened, but it's the sort of moment that I can laugh at a little bit and because we got the win it just makes it that bit sweeter," added the goalkeeper.
Phillips was an important player for Charlton last season and conceded 28 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions, keeping an impressive 14 clean sheets along the way.
The Verdict
You couldn't help but feel for Phillips. It was a horrible mistake to make at any time, but to make it after just five minutes of the biggest game of the season was disastrous.
He must be extremely relieved that his error didn't end up costing Charlton the game and he deserves some credit for the way he recovered to make a couple of important saves in the final.
Even though the game will probably always be remembered for his mistake, it's important that Phillips is able to learn from it and make sure it doesn't happen again in the future.