Scottish Junior Cup Fourth Round

GIRVAN 2

PENICUIK 3

by Matt Speirs

GALLANT Girvan will be hoping to target a push for promotion push after they missed out on a place in the last 16 of the national competition.

Peter Leonard's side had gone ahead but conceded three second half goals, leaving them facing an uphill struggle. It was their second successive defeat, following the 1-0 loss at Renfrew in the Super First Division seven days earlier.

They are just six points behind second-placed Shettleston ahead of Saturday's trip to Lanarkshire to fa struggling Blantyre Vics.

Leonard has made no secret that promotion is their target this season and a weekend victory would put them back on track.

Back to the action and although Girvan bowed out, they gave a good display and with a bit of luck could have forced a replay against a strong Penicuik side.

Penicuik opened strongly and created the first chance after 15 minutes when Ross Montgomery brought the best out of Scott Johnston who made a fine save.

A minute later a header by visiting player Keith Lough was cleared off the line.

Michael Reilly should have put Girvan in front in 20 minutes when he was set up by Robert Paterson but he shot wide of an empty goal. Play switched to the other end an Scott Johnston saved a header from Ryan McCallum to keep the sides level.

In 36 minutes, Girvan went ahead with a fine goal the ball was cleared out to Steven Auld and he hit a left foot screamer that flew past Andrew Jack

Two minutes after the break, Girvan were dealt a blow when Steven Auld had to go off to be replaced by Craig Reid. Before the defence had sorted itself out Penicuik equalised a ball to the back post was knocked back in and Calum Connolly netted.

Five minutes later Girvan almost went ahead again but Jack McDowall after beating two men saw his shot blocked for a corner.

Penicuik went ahead on the hour when corner from Neil Yancyzk was not cleared and Craig Hume shot the loose ball into the net.

Ten minutes later Penicuik added a third goal following a defensive mistake and Keith Lough was von hand to score.

Girvan added a second goal in injury time Scott Dinwoodie volleying the ball high into the net.

GIRVAN: Johnston; Auld, Mossie, McCreadie, Frame, Dinwoodie, Murphy, McDowall, Reilly, Paterson, Jardine. Subs: Stevenson, Cunningham, Reid, Doolan, Cameron.