It is difficult to imagine a single aspect in which Chris Hughton does not have much faith in Shane Duffy.

So it was left to the Republic of Ireland central defender himself to give the game away as he emerged from the tunnel at The Den to try to make some sense of Albion's FA Cup comeback at Millwall and progression to the semi-finals on penalties.

Duffy's partner, Lewis Dunk (below), took the first spot-kick in style once the shootout reached sudden death, sending David Martin the wrong way, before Jake Cooper put his over the bar to spark delirium among the away players and supporters.

The Argus: What about Duffy? When was he due to be put on the spot? "Last, stone last," he said, before joking: "I had a word with him after. 'Are you disrespecting my technique!'

"We did it twice in training (penalties). It was all planned before the game. I would have put my hand up."

Duffy and Dunk have been the solid, central pillar of Albion's success since he was signed from Blackburn Rovers at the start of the promotion season.

Hughton has relied on them relentlessly for the Seagulls' resilient streak.

Neither of them were at their dominant best at Millwall, but Albion found a way to win and can now look forward to a semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley on April 6.

"It's a huge achievement," Duffy said. "It's massive for the club and the players. Not many have been there. We know who we've got and we've just got to give it our best.

"The FA Cup is special and upsets do happen. That's what we'll believe.

"Obviously it's the short stick of the draw, but what an achievement for the club where we've come from.

"Everyone has come a long way and the fans were great, even at 2-0 down still backing us and singing away at the end. It was a great day for them."

There is an intriguing sub-plot to the Manchester City clash involving Duffy should John Stones (below), who has withdrawn from the England squad through injury, be in opposition.

The Argus: It was the preference of Roberto Martinez to nurture Stones that left Duffy with no pathway at Everton.

Duffy has gone on from that to be a key figure for club and country.

Albion's extended afternoon at Millwall prevented him from collecting in person Ireland's Senior Player of the Year Award for the second time in a row.

He hot-footed it from London City airport to link up with the Irish squad in Dublin for the launch of a new era, sort of.

Former Millwall and Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy, an international team-mate of Hughton, has taken charge again in succession to Martin O'Neill.

The Argus: Duffy (above) said: "We have got two big games coming up now. I'm looking forward to it. It's been a long wait since the new manager got appointed."

Duffy is just the type of player McCarthy will look to rebuild the squad around as the Republic prepare to open their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a double-header in Gibraltar on Saturday and at home to Georgia three nights later.