Tranent cup tie will be our biggest test this season, says Gartcairn boss

Gartcairn boss Mick Dunlop says his side face their toughest test of the season against Tranent in the South Challenge Cup fifth round.

A place in the quarter-final awaits the victors at MTC Park in Airdrie, but given that Tranent are riding high in the Lowland League, Dunlop expects a rigorous challenge.

He said: “Tranent are a couple of leagues above us, so it will probably be the most difficult test we’ll have this season.

“But it’s a home game and it’s a cup competition, so I think it’s a great opportunity for us.

“We will need to play well – we’re under no illusions about how difficult it’s going to be, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”

Gartcairn progressed to the West of Scotland Cup fourth round with a 2-1 win over Shotts, as Darren Smith and Jordan Love cancelled out Martin Shiels’ opener.

Dunlop was delighted to get back on track and said: “I was really happy with it on Saturday. We played well, we deserved to win, and I don’t think anybody could argue with that.

“Shotts started better than us and we were 1-0 down, but I think after that we were the better team on the day.

“Darren Smith scored a good goal just before half-time, which settled us down.

“Shotts had a good chance in the second half, but outwith that we restricted them and I don’t think our goalie had a lot to do.

“We scored a good second goal through Jordan Love, and when they were pushing towards the end we hit them on the break a few times and probably should have got a third.

“That’s us in the quarter-finals now, which I’m delighted with.

“We’re getting into March, now, and if you’re still in two cup competitions then it means you’ve had good runs.

“Shotts are a good team and when the draw was made it was always going to be a difficult