LOWLAND League fancies East Kilbride required a last minute penalty to claim an opening day win over BSC Glasgow.

Former Motherwell and St Mirren striker Jack Smith scored on his debut for Billy Ogilvie’s team.

But Broomhill replied with an Aaron Connolly strike just after the break.

Glasgow had a second player red carded two minutes into stoppage time after conceding the penalty.

And Martin McBride kept his cool to steal the points from the spot.

Former Livingston and Berwick Rangers midfielder Ross Gray says he’s dropped into the Lowland League to rekindle his love affair with football.

The 22-year-old was speaking after capping a memorable debut for new club Selkirk with a goal.

Gray was released by the Wee Gers at the end of last season despite making almost 30 appearances.

He said: “I didn’t enjoy my football last year at Berwick.

“I know I’ll enjoy my time here at Selkirk as I know the manager, Steve Forrest, well from when I was a youth at Cowdenbeath.

“That was a good win for us today as a lot of the boys are still getting to know each other. We’ll get better as the season goes on.” Selkirk’s opener came from former Hibs youngster Phil Addison.

Defending champions Edinburgh City also got off to a winning start with an impressive 3-0 victory over Gretna at Meadowbank.

Sean Mushin’s first half opener was added to by Shaun Harrison and Dougie Gair after the interval.

City boss Gary Jardine said: “We knew Gretna would be a difficult match and I’m delighted to win the way we did.” Last season’s bottom team, Threave Rovers, caused the shock of the day as they left Ferguson Park with a 2-1 win over Whitehill Welfare.

Ben Stirling and Kieran Jackson netted for Threave while Jamie Devlin snatched Welfare’s consolation.

Gala Fairydean Rovers returned from The Pennypitt with the points after a convincing 3-0 victory over Preston Athletic.

Davie Bonnar, Dean McColm and Colin Galbraith all scored for Steve Noble’s team.

Noble said: “We have three really tough games coming up against the three top teams from last season and we needed a win today to give us confidence going into those matches.

“We started well and I thought we were excellent in the second half – Preston didn’t have a shot at goal.” Dalbeattie Star earned an opening day 2-1 win over Vale of Leithen with goals from Lewis Sloan and Craig Neil.

Jack Combe scored in the last minute for Vale.