DEFENDING champions Whitehill Welfare strolled through the last 16 of the SFA South Challenge Cup with a 5-1 thumping of Upper Annandale.

The Rosewell side went in front through a Dale O’Hara penalty before Scott McCulloch and Harvey Swann both notched up doubles.

An early Adam Strachan goal was enough for East Kilbride to reach the third round with a 1-0 win over Gala Fairydean Rovers at K Park.

Vale of Leithen earned a place in the next round with a 2-1 win over Gretna at Raydale Park.

Brendan Edwards and Blair Atkinson both scored for Chris Anderson’s team.

There was a shock at the Pennypit where Lowland League side Preston Athletic were toppled 2-0 by Lothian Thistle, with James Guy and Kevin Brown both finding the net.

Dalbeattie Star were also knocked out as they went down 3-2 against Wigtown and Bladnoch at Iselcroft.

But East Stirlingshire made short work of Mid Annandale with a 3-0 win at the King Edward Park in Lockerbie.

Paul Sludden added to David Grant’s first half double against the South League side.

Spartans also eased past South opposition with Jack Hay netting four goals on his home debut.

Broque Watson and Craig Johnston were also on target for Dougie Samuels’ team as they enjoyed a 6-0 win over Lochar Thistle.

Cumbernauld Colts also reached the third round after beating Hawick Royal Albert 3-1.

Mark Bachelor, Ronald Owen and Jonathan Black were all on target for Colts at Albert Park.

Leith Athletic beat Coldstream 3-0 to progress and Edinburgh University triumphed 2-1 against Stirling University.