Buddies boss Ross revels in his side’s first-half blitz

ST MIRREN avoided a cup shock as a first-half blitz blasted Lothian Thistle Hutchinson Vale out of the Scottish Cup at the thirdround stage,

Gavin Reilly hit four, and Lewis Morgan, Jack Baird and Cammy Smith were also on target for Jack Ross’s men before the break, with the home side’s Sean Wringe getting a consolation after the re-start.

“I don’t think anyone could accuse our players of not approaching the game properly,” said boss Ross.

“The first-half performance was excellent, to score that many goals in 45 minutes is a big ask, regardless of the opposition.

“If I’m being critical, there were bits of the second half that I wasn’t pleased about, but that’s me by nature.

“I’m pleased to be in the next round, and I’m pleased that Gavin got that hat-trick and beyond it.

“For him to get to the tally he has in November is good, and it means he is on course for a very healthy goal return.”

Dumbarton may not have won in the same style, but Stevie Aitken’s men join Saints in the draw for the fourth round after a deflected Stuart Carswell effort gave them a 1-0 victory over Elgin City.

“We made hard work of it and should have been out of sight,” said Aitken. “But credit to the boys, they dug in and that’s three wins and three clean sheets in a row.”

Danny Lennon’s reign at Clyde got off to a losing start as League 1 side East Fife claimed a 2-0 victory at Broadwood, with goals from Kevin Smith and Jonathan Page.

“I’m disappointed to go out, but I learned a great deal about the individuals we have here and the club itself,” said Lennon.

“I was delighted with the performance from the lads. We asked them to leave everything out on that pitch and they did.

“They must have scored two goals out of three or four attempts.”

There was to be no giantkilling at Hampden, as Queen’s Park went down 4-1 to Championship side Dunfermline.

Ex-Rangers striker Nicky Clark, Jason Talbot, Andy Ryan and Declan McManus were on target for Pars, with David Galt hitting the solitary reply from Gus McPherson’s side.