David Moyes refused to blame England striker Andrew Johnson for the double penalty miss that leaves Everton's UEFA Cup dreams hanging by a thread.

Johnson, who has not scored for his club since March 16, was forced to retake one spot-kick because of encroachment by Leon Osman in last night's 1-1 draw with Metalist Kharkiv at Goodison Park.

After netting the first effort, Johnson saw goalkeeper Alexsandr Goryainov save the second attempt.

And when Everton were awarded another penalty in the closing minutes, Johnson stepped up again and this time blasted the ball into the crowd.

Everton had led early on through a Joleon Lescott header, but in the mayhem of those final minutes of the first round first-leg tie, they saw substitute Venans Zeze grab a lifeline for the Ukrainians.

Manager Moyes said: ''Andy was very brave to want to take the second penalty, I have no problems with that. If the player wants to take it, then take it.

''Andy wanted it, he so desperately wants to score a goal after so long without one. I admire him for that.

''If someone says 'no thanks' that is understandable too, but Andy was keen to take the responsibility again and I admire him for it. It was a brave thing to do.''

But Moyes believes that the first penalty should not have been disallowed by Austrian referee Fritz Stuchlik.

He said: ''I have seen the replay and it was a bit harsh. There was as many of their players in the box as there was ours.

''And if he disallowed that one, he should have done the same to the next one because there was even more people in the box for that one.

''As for the second leg, we will have to go there and play a lot better. At the moment we are out because of their away goal. It is up to us to make sure we do much better out there.''