Neilston secured their place in the next round of the Scottish Junior Cup with a 2-0 win over Rutherglen Glencairn at Brig O’Lea, in a tie where both sides were reduced to 10 men.

It was the second attempt to play the cup tie as last week’s was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Neilston began the game well and threatened early when Robbie Cameron found Stephen Docherty, but he just put his shot wide. At the other end, Glencairn responded with a cross from Sean McGuire found Adam Nisanci but he headed straight at James Digney.

The home side were enjoying some pressure, and Thomas McGaughey turned his marker to fire across goal, before the defender cleared at the back post.

The resulting corner wasn’t effectively cleared by the Glens defence and JC Hutchison made a good save with his legs to deny Cameron.

Glencairn missed a great chance to take the lead in the 22nd minute when Simone Sorrentino tangled in the box with Martin McInnes and the referee pointed to the spot despite the protests from the defender. Tony Fraser sent Digney the wrong way, but he pulled his shot narrowly wide of the target and the scoreline remained blank.

Neilston took the lead in the 42nd minute when a long ball was flicked on by Daniel McKay and Robbie CAMERON got in behind the visitors defence, and he produced a good finish under Hutchison to make it 1-0. Minutes later he could have double the lead in first half stoppage time as the defender slipped, but Hutchison blocked his effort for a corner.

From the corner, Hutchison dived to block a Stewart Brodie’s shot on his goal line which came through a crowd of players in front of him.

Half-time: Neilston 1-0 Glencairn Glencairn made a change at the interval with Brown was unable to continue due to injury, and he was replaced by Dean Muir. Neilston pressurised early in the second half, and forced Hutchison into a save from Allan Diack header, and then Neil blocked the same player minute later with a headed clearance.

Glencairn missed a great chance in the 51st minute when Mark Batchelor linked well with McGuire on the right, and the ball found Tait who miss-kicked from eight yards out in front of goal. Neilston made their first change minutes later, with Derek Kennedy replacing Tam McGaughey. Kennedy’s first contribution found Daniel McKay but Hutchison saved his shot down low.

The home side were reduced to 10 men on the hour mark, when Martin McInnes was sent off after he slid in dangerously to a challenge on Dean Muir, and the referee didn’t hesitate to produce a straight red card.

This didn’t change the flow of the game as Neilston missed a great chance minutes later, but Cameron once again found himself one-on-one with Hutchison, as he tried to dribble round him but Hutchison producing a fine save to grab the ball cleanly from the striker’s feet.

Glencairn’s extra man advantage didn’t last for long, as Andy Neil was shown a second yellow card for a high challenge in the 68th minute.

Five minutes later they nearly equalised when Sorrentino tried to chip Digney from 18 yards, but his effort flew a couple of yards over the crossbar The same player was denied five minutes later by a fine defensive challenge by Craig O’Brien to block a back post shot.

At the other end Glens chased for the equaliser and missed a chance when Fraser slipped a great ball through to Tait but the striker fired shot inches wide of the post.

Neilston secured their place in the third round draw in the injury time as Derek KENNEDY did well to hold off Paul Doyle, to turn inside and fire an angled shot into the top corner giving Hutchison no chance to make it 2-0 to send the home support happy.

Neilston’s man of the Match: Stewart Brodie Neilston: Digney, Murphy, O’Brien, Brodie, McInnes, Stevenson, Diack, Docherty, McKay (Kelly), McGaughey (Kennedy), Cameron (McCuish).

Subs not used: Hopewell and McArthur.