Shotts deserved cup win over Rutherglen Glencairn amid last-gasp drama, says John McKeown

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Shotts boss John McKeown insisted his side deserved to progress in the South Challenge Cup after striking two minutes from the end of extra-time to sink First Division side Rutherglen Glencairn.The Premier outfit trailed their visitors after Daniel Connor’s seventh minute opener at Hannah Park, but Rico di Marco’s header quickly levelled the game after 15 minutes.Glens were reduced to 10 men when Dom McLaughlin saw red three minutes into the additional period, and just as it looked like they would hold out for penalties, Ben Richford popped up in the 118th minute to fire home the winner.McKeown, whose side await the draw to discover their second round opponents, said: “The goal came very deep into extra-time so it was a really sore one for them.

They were down to 10 men and had their backs to the wall so it was tough on their young team.“We deserved the goal when it came but it was hard on Rutherglen because they had put so much into the game as well.“They are a good side, probably a Premier Division level side, and they started the game better than us.

Both teams made a few changes to freshen things up and give other players a chance but they were better early on and deservedly took the lead.“It was a cheap goal from our point of view but once we equalised, we showed a really good reaction and that was pleasing.“We took a grip of the game when they scored, got the equaliser and then completely dominated the game in the second half, but just couldn’t score.“It goes to extra-time and there were a lot of tired legs out there.

They got a player sent off, which was probably justified, and we just dominated extra-time after that. We had most of the ball and most of the chances, missed a good chance and possibly could have had