East Kilbride win over Stirling Uni to reach final our toughst yet, says interim boss Martin Fellowes

Martin Fellowes insists East Kilbride’s 3-2 Lowland League Cup semi-final win over Stirling University was their toughest of the season as 10-man Kilby held on to edge out the Students.

The Kilby interim boss was made to sweat on their progress when Neil McLaughlin was sent off four minutes into the second half, with the hosts holding a 2-1 lead thanks to Daniel McManus’ first minute opener and Dylan MacDonald’s effort on the stroke of half-time.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Reece McGuire’s 75th minute header put EK 3-1 up but an 89th minute goal back for Stirling made it a nervy final few moments as Fellowes' defending champions held out to set up a final with Bo’ness United at Berwick’s Shielfield Park on Sunday.

He said: “That is the hardest we’ve had to work for a win all season, so it was really satisfying when that final whistle went.

“It felt like an eternity to get there, being a man down, but it’s exciting that we are there now and we are really looking forward to it.”

He added: “Neilly has been a massive player for us. Not only did it make Saturday’s game difficult losing him, it makes Sunday’s game difficult as well.

“He will be a big miss for us, but that’s what the squad is there for.

“The guys that came off the bench on Saturday contributed as much as anybody to make sure we got to the final.

“The efforts from Jamie Docherty, Ross Taylor, and Reece McGuire was great. Jamie came on at half time and set up our third goal, Reece scores it, and the work Ross put in playing in an unnatural position to help when we were down to 10 men was excellent.

“That’s what the guys are itching to do for us and whoever comes in on Sunday will do a job for us.”

Bo’ness progressed on penalties in their semi-final, deny