Craig Gardner said it was an 'unbelievable' feeling for Birmingham City to get to Wembley - and score the goal that took them there.

Gardner's extra-time strike gave Blues a 3-1 win over West Ham United in the Carling Cup semi-final, for an aggregate 4-3 triumph,

"It's unbelievable to see Blues at Wembley," he said. "To actually score the goal to put us there is a dream come true.

"We are going there as underdogs, but it's going to be a great day out, every minute will be a buzz.

"We are going to give it all we've got and anything can happen."

Blues face Arsenal on February 27 in the final after a memorable comeback against the Hammers.

They were 1-0 adrift at half-time, 3-1 behind on aggregate.

But Blues recovered and did the necessary by hitting three goals at St Andrew's for only the third time in more than two years - and the two previous occasions were in the competition this season against Rochdale and MK Dons.

Lee Bowyer equalised with a stunning goal, Roger Johnson powered in a header and then Gardner - at the third time of asking - hammered the decider with a dipping shot into the bottom corner.

"Lee Bowyer's finish was top class," said Bowyer. "He's shown through all this career what he's about and then Roger Johnson scored.

"I'd hit the post twice but then to finally score . . .

"I have always got my shots away. If I get a sight of goal 20 yards out I'm going to have a go.

"I just keep trying. The second one was a great save from Robert Green, the third one went in."

Barry Ferguson, who bossed the midfield from the second-half onwards, said Blues turnaround was simple to explain.

"Desire. It was a last chance for a lot of these players to get to a final.

"We didn't play the best in the first-half, but second-half we showed what we were capable of doing.

"That's kind of what our season has been like. We started off a bit dodgy.

"Why? I don't know. The best manager in the world would find it hard to tell you.