WE MADE NICHOLAS LOOK A PROPER CHARLIE

By Amanda Little

CARLISLE-BORN Derek Townsley bounced back from his penalty shoot-out heartbreak to blast telly pundits Ian St John and Charlie Nicholas who wrote off Gretna’s chances of Scottish Cup glory.

Gretna took the Champions League-bound SPL runners-up to the last kick of the game, defying the critics who predicted a one-sided final which would embarrass the Scottish game.

After 120 minutes of thrilling football, Hearts finally overcame Gretna’s stubborn resistance to win 4-2 on penalties, with Townsley seeing his spot-kick saved and fellow Cumbrian Gavin Skelton firing over the bar.

Townsley, 33, said: "A lot of so-called experts wrote us off – people like Charlie Nicholas and Ian St John," said Townsley.

"It's so disappointing when they come out with stupid quotes and make a fool of themselves –but that's their prerogative. Turn to page 39

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They are the ones with eggs on their faces.

"We showed a lot of character. We said at half-time that if Hearts got the second goal, it was going to be very difficult but in the second half we were the superior side.

"We might have deserved to win it on our second half performance."

The former Carlisle postie, who still lives in the city, is a survivor from Gretna’s non-league days. He is now relishing the prospect of UEFA Cup football with the Raydale Park minnows.

He missed Gretna’ third spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out.

James Grady and Mark Birch had both netted to cancel out penalties from Hearts skipper Steven Pressley and Robbie Neilson before Rudi Skacel made it 3-2 and Townsley’s effort was saved by Jambos Scottish international keeper Craig Gordon.

Michal Pospisil made it 4-2 and Gretna’s dreams were ended when Skelton hit the top of the bar.

“There’s always going to be a hero and a villain and unfortunately I’m the villain of the piece,” said Townsley.

“It’s unfortunate as I thought we deserved something. It left a sour taste in my mouth.

“I was going to hit it the other way but I changed my mind, which was sinful and I paid the price. It’s the unwritten rule that you don’t change your mind.”