Neilston manager Andy Whiteford hailed his team’s fighting spirit after booking a place in the final of the Strathclyde Demolition Cup.

A first half Del McNab strike was enough for the Farmer’s Boys to squeeze past Third Division outfit West Park United on Saturday.

That set up a final showdown with Drumchapel United at Broadwood next month.

Whiteford was appointed manager last month after a successful spell as caretaker following Kevin Muirhead’s departure.

Results had been impressive during that stint as stand-in and, although Whiteford admits the performance against West Park wasn’t as good as some he has witnessed from his players in recent weeks, he was delighted to see them find another way to win.

He told Barrhead Sport: “I said to the guys before the game that the aim was to get into the final, however we did it.

“We managed to do that, so you’ve got to be pleased.

“It was a tough day conditions wise but both teams tried to play a bit of football.

“The performance wasn’t great but to see the job out and get the win was pleasing.

“They were a very good side and, in the first half, they edged it and had some decent chances, with our goalkeeper Nathan Bogle keeping us in the game.

“It wasn’t the best I’ve seen from the guys but the character they showed to get through to the final was excellent. It was all about rolling the sleeves up and grinding it out.”

Neilston have just one game left to play in 2023 as they host Shotts Bon Accord on Saturday.

Whiteford admits he would rather the fixtures kept coming over the festive period as he looks to extend his team’s unbeaten run of four matches.

He added: “We’ve had a couple of weeks off with games being postponed, which probably played into us being a bit rusty on Saturday. Hopefully this weekend’s game goes ahead.

“We don’t really want the break but it gives us a chance to regroup and look at the squad and see if there’s anywhere else we need to strengthen.”

Kick-off at the Brig O’Lea on Saturday is at 1.30pm.