Level-headed boss Paul Simpson hailed “gutsy” Shrewsbury Town as they set up a big Wembley showdown with Gillingham.

Town booked their spot in the League Two play-off final as they overcame a first leg deficit to defeat Bury 4-3 on penalties in an epic clash at Gigg Lane yesterday.

Gillingham eliminated Rochdale at Priestfield to secure their place at the national stadium on Saturday, May 23, and Simpson expects a close encounter – despite thrashing the Kent side 7-0 at the Prostar Stadium earlier in the season.

“They’ve come on a long, long way since then and they’re a very good team,” said Simpson. “They were in really good form at the end of the season and they’ve got good players who can get goals.

“It amuses me because I’m always being told we’re a moneybags team, but they’ve got centre-back Simon King, who cost £200,000 from Barnet and Simeon Jackson cost £150,000 (from Rushden & Diamonds) too.

“It’s a great game to look forward to, and we have to make sure we go down there and enjoy it.

“In an ideal world you wouldn’t want to wait two weeks and we have to make sure the players keep their feet on the ground. It’s important we realise we have only won a semi-final so far.”

Shrewsbury had looked to be heading home from Bury defeated until Kevin McIntyre struck with a dramatic 88th minute goal to win the tie on the day and level the scores on aggregate.

They then survived a torrid period of extra-time following Steve Leslie’s red card, before claiming victory on penalties.

“We’re not promoted yet and we’re not jumping the gun, but we’ve got ourselves one step closer and we’ve got ourselves to what should be a wonderful occasion,” added Simpson.

“We’ve got it through sheer guts and determination. The fitness they’ve built up over the season and their ability has come through, and they’ve shown unbelievable composure with those penalties at the end.”

Hero of the piece was goalkeeper Luke Daniels, who saved one penalty in the first half and two in the shoot-out, as well as making more than half a dozen outstanding saves.

That was redemption for the on-loan West Brom ace, who had shared the blame for Neil Ashton’s own goal in the first leg.

“On Thursday it’s fair to say he made one mistake and he got punished for it,” said Simpson. “But yesterday he more than made up for it and, for me, he became a ‘horrible’ man because he was getting into people’s heads and psyching them out.

“Maybe our goal lived a bit of a charmed life, but that was because Luke Daniels made some tremendous saves.”

By CHRIS HUDSON