Gordon the king of Hearts

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon was the hero for Heart of Midlothian FC as plucky minnows Gretna FC forced extra-time and penalties in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park. The Edinburgh side won the shootout 4-2 after the sides ended 120 minutes locked at 1-1. Hearts looked to be on course for victory when Czech Republic international Rudolf Skácel gave them a first half lead but a late penalty from Ryan McGuffie took the game into extra-time.

Early onslaught
The tiny club from the Scottish borders, who only entered senior football four years ago, were bidding to become the first club from the third tier to lift the coveted trophy, but they had to withstand a barrage of early pressure from Hearts. Deividas Cesnauskis almost opened the scoring on 8 minutes when his shot from the edge of the area bounced back off the post.

Skácel opener
Gretna's best moment of the first half came just before the half-hour when Gavin Skelton’s dipping free-kick was tipped over by Craig Gordon. However, it was Hearts who made the breakthrough six minutes before the interval. Robbie Neilson's long throw was flicked on by Edgaras Jankauskas and Skácel arrived at the back post to drill a powerful shot past Alan Main.

Neilson tackle
Rowan Alexander's side passed up an excellent chance to equalise three minutes after the re-start when Kenny Deuchar and James Grady combined to set up Steve Tosh, but the midfielder tugged his shot wide with only Gordon to beat. Substitute David Graham looked set to level the scores when he dribbled through the Hearts defence and round Gordon only for Neilson to save the day with a last-ditch tackle.

Second attempt
Hearts were now hanging on and with fifteen minutes remaining Gretna's pressure paid off with a penalty award after Cesnauskis tripped John O'Neil in the box. McGuffie's first effort was saved by Gordon but the former Newcastle United FC midfielder followed up to slot home the loose ball.

Skelton miss
Neither side could make the breakthrough in extra-time although Skácel came close hitting the post after being teed up by substitute Michal Pospisil and in the closing moments Hearts were reduced to ten men when Paul Hartley lashed out at Derek Townsley. That left the ordeal of penalty kicks. Gordon saved from Townsley and, when Skelton missed the fourth sport-kick, the cup was on its way back to Tynecastle.