‘Burn hit by late goal in cup contest

Scottish Amateur Cup

BANNOCKBURN ............................................. 2 NEILSTON ......................................................... 3

Bannockburn crashed out of the Scottish Cup on Saturday as they recorded their first defeat of the season, losing to Neilston AFC.

In horrendous weather conditions, the‘burn started on the front foot and the visitors set up to frustrate and play on the counter.

‘Burn’s first chance fell to Mochan, when he arrived at the back post to see his header crash off the bar.

After a frantic start and an early sub for the home side due to injury, they took the lead after Donaghy smashed home after a good save by the keeper.

The visitors got level after a quick throw wasn’t defended and the striker’s driven cross was finished by the winger after a good initial block.

Second half playing into the wind, the‘burn started to create better chances but couldn’t convert and on the hour mark, against the run of play, the visitors went ahead in bizarre fashion.

A man light after the ref asked Donaghy to leave the field to remove his under armour, the corner was swung in and amongst the confusion, it drifted past everyone and crept in at the back post.

Turning to the bench, the‘burn brought on Wood who immediately caused problems with his pace in the wide area. It was his clever through ball that released Millar who clipped the ball past the keeper to level the game up.

As the hosts pushed forward it looked like the winner was only a matter of time and they had a great opportunity on 85 minutes after Wood was fouled in the box. Mclellan saw his spot kick saved and it looked like a replay was on the cards.

As‘burn kept probing to try and snatch the win, the visitors broke up the field and won a free kick on 90 minutes. After a dummy run, the ball was clipped to the penalty spot and headed home to send the away side through.

‘Burn will rue missed chances and poor set piece defending, but still have plenty to play for this season.

Their next fixture is away to Park Sports Project in the last 16 of the West.