Auchinleck dream is over – but at least they did better than Chelsea

Auchinleck Talbot’s Stephen Wilson bemoaned an offside decision that robbed him of a goal at Tynecastle but was far from downcast after yesterday 4-0 Scottish Cup defeat by Hearts.

One consolation was knowing the Ayrshire junior side had managed to make a better fist of things than St Johnstone – and Chelsea for that matter. Both clubs fell to defeats by bigger margins yesterday at the home of rivals from the same league.

Auchinleck are currently in fourth place in the West of Scotland Super League Premier Division but proved impressively resilient at the home of their Premiership hosts after conceding three goals in the first half. Only a late goal by Aidan Keena prevented them drawing the second half.

An offside flag shortly after that robbed Auchinleck of the chance to celebrate a goal in front of their 1800 visiting fans. A controversial offside flag in the dying minutes denied the side the last time they were at Tynecastle on Scottish Cup duty seven years ago. That was particularly agonising since it would have earned the Ayshire side a draw.

It was not so close this time but