Reading manager Steve Clarke said he had no doubt that Ayegbeni Yakubu would make the most of his opportunity as a substitute in Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup victory at Derby.
The former Nigeria, Everton and Portsmouth striker underlined his quality by picking up a Simon Cox through-ball and powering forward before firing home a clinical left-footed shot from the edge of the box to settle the match.
Clarke, who signed Yakubu as a free agent, said: "We knew what we were getting with him. He's a goalscorer and when he goes through one against one you expect him to sure.
"He's very good at doing the business in that sort of situation and that makes him a great asset.
"All credit to Derby for the way they played with 10. We knew they would still come at us but we handled the situation well."
Derby were lauded as "absolutely heroic" by manager Steve McClaren despite slipping out on the late goal from Yakubu -- a player he once signed.
The Championship promotion-seekers had twice-capped England international full-back Stephen Warnock sent off for a second yellow card in the 39th minute but still gave Reading a real run for their money.
Hal Robson-Kanu put the visitors ahead just after half-time but Darren Bent equalised soon after and it needed an 82nd-minute strike from Yakubu to settle the match in Reading's favour.
McClaren said: "The way we continued to set about a good Reading side in such a positive way made me very proud.
"You can hardly expect to win a game when you are down to 10 for 50 minutes. It's well-nigh impossible but, my word, we had a terrific crack at it.
"We didn't want a replay. We didn't want any more on our plate. We wanted to win at the first attempt and we couldn't have shown more willingness to have a real go at it.
"Even a man down we looked the better side but we were eventually caught on the break and a well-taken goal from the Yak saw Reading through. As soon as I saw him warming up to go on I thought 'Oh no, not him!'
"I don't know how old he is now -- I didn't really know his age when I signed him for Boro and he was telling me he was only 25 -- but he'll always have that pace and ability to finish."