Neilston take a goal advantage going into tonight’s second leg after a narrow win over Shettleston at Greenfield Park.

A header from Paul Stewart in the second half was enough to give the Farmers Boys victory.

It was a scrappy opening and it took until the 12th minute for the first opportunity when Lovering’s header was deflected over by the bar. 

Minutes later Stewart went close with a shot just over the bar before he was denied.

Shettleston never threatened much and could have been down to 10 men after a lashing out.

Neilston went close soon after with Fletcher’s effort just going inches by post.

Shettleston started the second half on the front foot and Tiropulous produced a great save to deny them the opening goal.

Stewart was denied five minutes later by the home keeper as his header was tipped over the bar from a McBryde cross.

Neilston made their only change in the 65th minute, with McDade coming on for Convery and the sub had a hand in the goal.

McDade’s long throw-in was flicked on by Diack to Stewart, who got above his marker to head home into the bottom corner.

The home side prevented Neilston adding to the scoreline by denying Fletcher, then tipping a Stewart free-kick past the post.

Shettleston were denied a certain goal by Tiropulous as the goalkeeper somehow managed to change direction to tip a shot over the bar.

But Neilston held out to keep their narrow lead.

Neilston: Tiropulous, Convery (McDade), Payne, Clark, Young, McBryde, Docherty, Diack, Fletcher, Stewart, Lovering. Subs not used - Milne, Curren, Patterson and Kelly.