Worthington Cup: Beaten Francis upbeat after cup heartache

Birmingham City manager Trevor Francis praised "shattered" substitute Andrew Johnson whose penalty shoot-out miss handed the Worthington Cup to Liverpool.

Johnson had helped to turn the game in Birmingham's favour after he had come on as a half-time substitute for Dele Adebola.

But, after the game had gone to spot-kicks, it was Johnson who saw his kick saved by Sander Westerveld as Liverpool won 5-4 on penalties.

Francis said: "What we had needed was someone to get in behind the Liverpool back four and move their centre-halfs around and Andrew Johnson did exactly what we wanted.

"He nearly scored at the start of the second half and I think if he had been on the pitch a bit longer he might have put that away.

"But considering how well he played for a 19-year-old, it is shattering for him to be the one who ultimately missed the penalty that presented the trophy to Liverpool.

"I had a little chat with him and the rest of the players and it is always disappointing when you lose on penalties, no matter who the team is.

"I just also feel when you lose a final the losers are normally forgotten. But I don't think Birmingham City will be forgotten."

Francis added: "Before the game we said that if we came off the pitch with no regrets then we would be satisfied and my players were fantastic.

"We fought to stay in the final and after we had equalised I thought we were the likely winners in extra time. We were hungrier and stronger.

"But I am proud of every one of them and we can take great heart from this run, in which we have beaten three Premiership sides."

Francis is optimistic that his side can now go on to achieve their ultimate aim of promotion to the Premiership.

He said: "I think we can challenge for second position and we have some good players like Curtis Woodhouse and Peter Atherton to give us further strength for the last 15 games of the season.

"I think we will be okay and bounce back from this disappointment. We have got good characters in the side and squad and I have no worries on that score.

"By getting to the final we made half of Birmingham very proud and now we want to get into the Premiership."