New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup Second Round

GIRVAN 3

ST ANTHONY'S 2

GRITTY Girvan ground out a much-needed win as they edged out the Ants in a high-scoring cup tie at Hamilton Park.

In four minutes a nice lay-off by Darren Mitchell played in Tony Balfour but he shot wide of target

A Steven Auld long through ball in 10 minutes into the midst of the penalty box found the head of Mitchell, who sent a header

A free-kick 25 yards out for St Anthony's in 33 minutes hit the wall and was cleared

Two minutes from half-time, a Craig Harvey shot on the edge of the 18-yard box was tipped over the bar

On half-time a mistake from goalkeeper Higgins saw him lose the ball when trying to get his kick away but Danny Cunningham got back onto the goal-line and managed to block the shot

It was all-square in 53 minutes when a cross from the right found Brian Henderson at the back post to head home from 10 yards.

Two minutes later Girvan went ahead when a cross from Mark Doolan picked out D Mitchell who headed back across goal giving keeper no chance

There was another twist in 66 minutes when the Ants equalised. From a free-kick, the ball was fired into the back post and after what looked like the slightest of touches from Henderson and the ball ended up in the net

In 72 minutes, Cunningham headed the ball back into box from a clearance and Mitchell climbed highest to loop a header into the net his hat-trick and Girvan’s third

Three minutes later, following an incident remembling handbags at dawn, Steven Auld and visiting player McManus ended up both being sent off

Three minutes later a Scott Dinwoodie free-kick found Mitchell but his shot was inches wide as the hosts held on to win.

GIRVAN: Higgins; Auld, Doolan, Mossie, Daniel Cunningham, Dinwoodie, Harvey, Balfour, Mitchell, Reilly, McDowall. Subs: Hunter, Caldwell, M Cameron, O’Donnell, Johnston.