SPARKLING DUELS AT HAMPDEN

HARTLEY v NICHOLLS

DAVIE NICHOLLS had the daunting task of shackling Paul Hartley and came off second best to his red-hot rival.

But while the Hearts man's tireless running again proved his side's driving force he left his shooting boots at home and will cringe every time he thinks about his senseless extra-time red card.

Nicholls - in the deep role as a sitting midfielder - worked hard to live with Hart's pace but could have been booked in 13 minutes for catching his man after he skipped clear.

The Jambo wriggled free again to go in on the keeper only for his first touch let him down.

Nicholls adjusted and managed to force Hartley into a quieter 10 minutes. But his endeavour couldn't match Hartley's quality forever and it wasn't long before the Scot, having the season of his life, was in the thick of it again.

Nic was hooked in 55 minutes and that put the onus on Steve Tosh to patrol Tynecastle's talisman who continued to probe forward - but his shooting repeatedly let him down.

Hartley had chances to put the game beyond Gretna long before they equalised and wasted another glaring opening when Takis Fyssas picked him out in the box and he couldn't keep his effort down.

Paul's day ended in shame with a deserved red card for kicking out at Derek Townsley.

But he has the consolation that he won his midfield battle -however small that is.

SKACEL v BIRCH

MARK BIRCH faced mission impossible keeping Rudi Skacel quiet - even with two of his team-mates roped in to provide extra help.

Ryan McGuffie and Steve Tosh took up patrolling duties as the game wore on but at times there was little they could do to stop the Czech causing mayhem.

Early on Skacel charged down the right to ping over a pinpoint cross that deserved better than Roman Bednar's weak effort.

Rudi looked odds on to score moments later only for Birch to make a superb block 12 yards out.

The Gretna stopper stuck to his task but Skacel's class shone through in 38 minutes as he volleyed Jambos' opener into the bottom corner.

Skacel only played in flashes after half-time but was inches away from restoring his side's lead at the back post then went close with a free-kick in extra time.

He still had time to rattle a post and have a penalty claim rejected before Birch's busy shift was over.

DEUCHAR v PRESSLEY

KENNY DEUCHAR has scored goals in every division he's played in but yesterday was a step up in class for the doctor. He came up against a top SPL defence and was in Steven Press-ley's pocket all day. Deuchar tried his heart out but lack of pace and touch cost him against a rock-solid Jambos backline.

He failed to link up with James Grady on the deck and should have imposed himself on Elvis in the air early on.

Deuchar's knockdown to set up a golden chance for David Graham was his major contribution and it was no surprise when he was subbed in extra time.

Pressley was as cool and calm as ever but watched helplessly as Hearts wasted great chances.

He was troubled more in the second period but it was from Graham and John O'Neil in the midfield rather than Deuchar.

Taken from the Sunday Mail