MARK Rogers went from villain to hero, scoring one of the penalties as Canada went through to the semi-finals of the Gold Cup after a dramatic spot-kick shootout.

The Wanderers defender, nicknamed Ted, made up for his earlier own goal by firing in his spot-kick as Canada beat Martinique 6-5 in a penalty shootout after the match had finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Earlier, Rogers' dream had looked like it was turning into a nightmare as his own goal gave Martinique the lead in Saturday's match at Miami's Orange Bowl.

He deflected Rodolphe Rano's cross into his own net to give the ten-men of Martinique a 63rd minute lead.

But the Canadians levelled just ten minutes later when Kevin McKenna headed in the equaliser to take the game to its dramatic conclusion.

Rogers, making his first international start after three previous appearances as a substitute, then showed his character by burying one of Canada's penalties as they won the spot-kick roulette.

Canada will now face World Cup qualifers America in Pasadena tomorrow for a place in the final on February 2nd.

And regardless of the result in that game, Rogers will now miss Wanderers' crucial second division game at Port Vale on Saturday because even if Canada lose to the USA, they will be involved in a third and fourth place match on the same day.

His extended absence leaves Wycombe boss Lawrie Sanchez with a defensive headache.

Sanchez said: "It's great news for him but crap news for the club."

Wanderers will be without three of their four centre halves at Vale Park.

Jason Cousins tore his achilles during Saturday's 3-0 win over Notts County, and would have been suspended anyway and Paul McCarthy is still ruled out injured.

America joined Canada in the last four with a 4-0 thrashing of El Salvador.