East Kilbride 1-0 Gala Fairydean Rovers

Scottish Cup third round

By Callum Hodgson at K-Park

FOOTBALL can be a cruel game.

Gala were just moments away from forcing a third round replay on Saturday, when Jamie Longworth popped up for East Kilbride in the dying minutes.

But Dean Shanks’ men showed they can compete with the very best sides in their division with a fantastic team performance at K-Park.

After the game the manager said: “There wasn’t anything in the game. I think everybody thought it was going to be a replay. But to lose it right at the death... That’s football.

“We matched them for the full game and had a few chances in the second half that went millimetres past the post.

“I cannot fault the players’ effort and application. I thought it was a great advert for Lowland League football.

“This is a young squad and they’re continually showing what they can do.

“If we keep this team together, we’re going to have a very good side in years to come.”

Dale Baxter created the first chance for the visitors, but he shot narrowly wide in the opening minutes.

However, moments later Patrick Martin was called into action and made two excellent fingertip saves to deny Bernard McColl and Anton Brady.

There was nothing to separate the two sides heading into half time, with both teams battling in midfield.

But there was still time for the Fairydean Rovers to create two chances.

Sean McKirdy fired wide; then a wonderfully weighted Darren Smith free kick fell to Baxter at the near post, but his effort ended up in the hands of Matthew McGinley.

Nine minutes into the second half Martin again showed off his goalkeeping skills when he made an excellent diving save to stop Paul Woods floating the ball into the top corner.

Sandy Cunningham was inches away from grabbing a goal for Gala and substitute Craig O’Reilly also came close when he dispossessed McColl in the box. However, his strike went over the crossbar.

But despite defending admirably throughout the game, it was to be East Kilbride’s day.

After a quick attacking move the ball fell to Longworth, who fired home from 20 yards to set up a fourth round tie with either Edinburgh City or Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Gala: P Martin, R Stevenson, S Main, R Donaldson, R Miller, K Watson (C O’Reilly 36), S Cunningham, D Smith, R Paton (J Morris 70) S McKirdy, D Baxter.