DEREK SO SORRY FOR HARTLEY BUT NOT THE SNIPERS

DEREK TOWNSLEY shook off his own despair to extend his sympathy to Paul Hartley for being sent off at Hampden.

But the Gretna defender has few kind words for the critics he hopes are choking on their words after Rowan Alexander's side almost caused the biggest cup shock of all time.

Townsley had reason to believe it was going to be the greatest day in his career when his team took Hearts to spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw.

Hartley, the main penalty taker for Hearts, had just been dismissed for his second yellow card after taking a fly boot at the former Motherwell player.

But Townsley looked on in anguish as Craig Gordon saved his spot-kick and the dream was over when Gavin Skelton blasted his effort off the top of the bar.

Hartley looked a forlorn figure as he trooped off the pitch for taking a petty and uncharacteristic swipe at his opponent in the last minute of injury time.

Townsley said:"The red card was quite soft as it was one of those innocuous challenges. It was harsh, although to all intents Paul did kick out.

"I felt for the wee man because it wasn't a nasty game but I don't owe him an apology as I didn't make ameal of anything.

"I thought it was going to be our day when it went to penalties but the game becomes a lottery when it gets to that stage.

"The scoreline was probably an injustice as we emerged with alot of credit and it's always nice to shut up the critics.

"Criticism of Gretna has reared its head before every game since the quarter-final.

"However, on our showing in the Final they should be proud we're European representatives for Scotland next season.

"Sure, Hearts had more quality in their ranks but there wasn't a gulf. They didn't click because we didn't allow them to click.

"We will not disgrace ourselves or Scotland in the UEFA Cup and let's face it, we can't do worse than most of the sides from the country in recent seasons."

Townsley was brimming with confidence when he stepped up to take his spotkick but he admits he made the cardinal error of changing his mind at the last momentand made it an easier save for Gordon to make.

And when Skelton blazed his spot-kick off the top of the bar and over, the Cup was ready to be wrapped in maroon ribbons.

Townsley added: "Disappointment is not the correct word to use because, over the piece, we were not disappointing.

"But I'm the villain with the penalty miss. I made the mistake of changing my mind and I'll probably go over it a thousand times in my head.

"There's an unwritten rule at penalties to stick to your guns and I was going to go the other way but changed to right of centre and all credit to Craig for making the save.

"I felt confident as we prepared for penalties and told Davie Irons to stick me down as one of the five.

"I think I'll keep my mouth shut in future.

"We're pleased at least that any neutral watching the game would not have seen a gulf in class.

"There were some tears shed in the dressing room afterwards. Brooks Mileson came in to tell us how proud he was of us and it was very emotional.

"In the end, we know we did ourselves justice."

Taken from the Daily Record