Jubilant Derry thump Gretna

Gretna 1 Derry City 5

The Gretna bandwagon finally hit the buffers tonight as Derry City inflicted a 5-1 defeat in the first round proper of the UEFA Cup.

It started well for the tiny Borders outfit when Ryan McGuffie handed them the lead early in the game, before Derry’s class won through.

Darren Kelly levelled the score, then Kevin Deery and Ciaran Martyn helped themselves to a double each to end Gretna’s European adventure before they had even managed to leave the country.

If any team were to believe in the impossible, it was Gretna.

They had booked their place in tonight’s game after pushing SPL runners-up Hearts all the way in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup final - only to lose on penalties.

And, after bulldozing their way through the Scottish lower divisions, they look as though they could actually achieve their aim of reaching the Bank of Scotland Premier League next season after storming to a 6-0 win over Hamilton in their First Division opener at the weekend.

But, as far as the UEFA Cup is concerned, it looks as though the dream is over already.

Derry came close to finding the back of the net in the opening minutes when only the timely interception of Martin Canning prevented Deery finding the unmarked Stephen O’Flynn at the back post.

Then came McGuffie’s feeble effort after all-but being invited to leave the net bulging, when goalkeeper David Forde fumbled the ball in his own goalmouth.

“You’re supposed to be at home,” taunted the Derry fans, in reference to Gretna playing the first leg at Motherwell’s Fir Park because their own Raydale Park does not meet UEFA criteria.

But the jeering supporters and pounding drum were momentarily silenced with just 12 minutes on the clock when Gretna surged into the lead.

This time there were no mistakes from McGuffie. Brendan McGill bravely won the ball in the air, before nodding into the path of the midfielder and Forde was left with no chance as McGuffie kept his cool to drive home.

Gretna were briefly buoyed by the goal but, before they could take advantage of their new-found confidence, Derry were back on level terms.

Sean Hargan raced down the left flank before picking out Kelly for the header and he managed to squeeze the ball home at the near post.

Derek Townsley was fortunate to avoid at least a yellow card when he appeared to use his elbow on Gary Beckett but he escaped unpunished, as did James Grady and Peter Hutton who squared up minutes later.

And Forde was equally lucky not to hand Gretna a goal shortly before the break.

In his haste to race from his line to make a clearance, the Derry goalkeeper fell on his backside and could only breath a sigh of relief when Steve Tosh - who netted a hat-trick at the weekend – smashed the ball into the sidenetting.

Gretna manager Rowan Alexander took advantage of the break to swap McGill for John O’Neil.

The first booking of the match came eight minutes after the restart when Chris Innes was cautioned for tripping Martyn.

And the foul proved to be costly when Deery sent a superb, right-footed effort into the top corner of the net from the resultant free-kick with 54 minutes gone.

Before Gretna even had time to rethink their game plan, Derry – and Deery - had the ball in the back of the net again two minutes later.

This time the ball broke to him 35 yards out and he proved to be just as clinical from that range when he send a ferocious half-volley past Main.

The Gretna goalkeeper was left picking the ball out of the net again after 63 minutes.

Martyn raced into the box, rounded the keeper and squeezed his shot home, before grabbing his second of the night with an opportunist effort – a stinging drive from the edge of the area with 15 minutes remaining.

UEFA Cup Second Qualifying Result: IK Start 1 Drogheda United 0.