JOHN DANBY revealed that his penalty shootout heroics for Connah's Quay Nomads were not entirely down to just good fortune.

The 35-year-old saved from Edinburgh's Craig Thompson to hand Michael Wilde the chance to win the Scottish Cup semi-final, but the experienced striker fluffed his lines.

But after George Horan converted the first of the sudden death spot-kicks, Danby became the hero as he denied Ciaran Diver to secure a 5-4 shootout success for Nomads.

Danby said: "We were talking about it and as a goalkeeper you should enjoy penalty shootouts because you are not expected to save any.

"Goalkeeper coach Neil Ebbrell and I spoke before the game and we knew a little bit about their penalty takers.

"We did research and had a look at where they might put it. You can also sometimes tell from the run up, but it's the luck of the draw.

"I went the right way for the first couple of penalties and their goalkeeper got his hand to a couple.

"I thought when we had the chance to win and he saved it 'is that going to change the momentum?'

"But as he (Diver) walked up I thought 'I fancy this' and luckily I went the right way.

"I think we deserved it."

As a veteran of 500 games, Danby was only too happy to embrace the high-pressure situation, adding: "The last couple of penalty shootouts I've won.

"I don't think I'd won one before that since I was about 16.

"You've got to enjoy it. We had a great crowd and it's great for the club and the gaffer, who wanted to get to the final, and we are made up to do it for him."

Nomads were forced dig deep after Josh Walker handed Edinburgh the lead inside 120 seconds, but Wilde levelled as the hosts dominated the rest of normal time and the additional 30 minutes.

Danby said: "They had a great start and they were sharp, but after they scored I thought we defended brilliantly and I can't remember them having another shot on target.

"The lads were absolutely fantastic and to finish the game off like that is brilliant."

A final with Scottish Championship title favourites Ross County awaits Nomads at a yet to be decided venue next month.

Ross County will be odds-on favourites to lift the trophy, but Danby is happy to embrace the occasion.

"We've been underdogs quite a few times in Europe and in this cup, so we will go and give a good account of ourselves. That's all we can do because they are going to be a good team," he said.

"We will put them under a bit of pressure, they will have to deal with a few things from us, so hopefully we can snatch a win."