NEILSTON booked their place in the second round of the Scottish Junior Cup with a 3-1 win after they came from behind to beat North Region side, Dufftown at Brig O’Lea Stadium.

Two goals from sub Derek Kennedy and one from another sub, Robbie Cameron, earned the Farmer’s Boys a place in the draw.

Manager Andy Whiteford started one of the two new singings, striker Tam McGaughey, while the other, Conor McArthur, had to settle for a place on the bench.

It was Neilston who were first to threaten in the second minute when Allan Diack’s header was tipped onto the crossbar by McIntosh from Murphy’s cross — Hopewell’s rebound hit the post before eventually being cleared.

Two minutes later McGaughey’s free kick went just by the post after Daniel McKay was fouled.

At the other end Dufftown created their first chance of the game as Grant put his effort wide as play raged from end to end, Sean McIntosh made a fine save to deny Daniel McKay. From the resultant corner Allan Diack climbed well to put his header just over the bar.

Dufftown nearly opened the scoring in the 16th minute after good move between McLaren and Watt before the later effort was cleared off the line.

Minutes later, a good run from Craig Murphy found Daniel McKay in the box who turned and his shot was blocked. New signing Tam McGaughey picked up the loose ball to fire just over the bar.

Neilston continued to lay siege to the Dufftown goal with Allan Diack’s effort going just over the crossbar from Mark McCuish’s layoff. Stevie Hopewell was next to try his luck but his low shot trickled just by the post.

Half-time: Neilston 0-0 Dufftown Dufftown opened the scoring in the 54th minute against the run of the play when a long ball caught out the home defence and McLaren drilled the ball home from just inside the area.

Neilston responded with Daniel McKay’s effort being was blocked from Stevie Hopewell’s cross. Neilston made a double change with Robbie Cameron and Derek Kennedy coming on for Daniel McKay and Tam McGaughey. Robbie’s first touch almost brought the equaliser a minute later with his header being cleared off the line.

Neilston pressed for the equaliser and got it in the 62nd minute when CAMERON scored with a neat finish from Matt Stevenson’s cross.

Minutes later he nearly added another but his shot hit the side netting. The home side’s defence continued to struggle with the pace of the young Dufftown striker, James McLaren as he broke clear to see his shot defected just wide.

At the other end, Sean McIntosh saved well from Robbie Cameron’s low shot then minutes later Derek Kennedy saw his deflected shot came off the crossbar.

Neilston made it 2-1 in the 81st minute when sub Kevin Kelly crossed for Stevie Hopewell at the back post to head over Sean McIntosh for Derek KENNEDY to tap in.

James Digney did well to hold the ball from Wood’s low drive. In the last minute the home side secured their win with a clever free-kick from Derek KENNEDY after Matt Stevenson was fouled just outside the penalty box. He produced a wee flick over the wall into the bottom corner.

Neilston: Digney, Murphy, O’Brien, Diack, McInnes, Stevenson, Hopewell, McCuish, D. McKay (Kennedy), McGaughey (Cameron), Tulloch (Kelly).

Subs not used: McArthur and Kelly.

Dufftown: McIntosh, Harris (Robertson), Reid, Main, Bowie, Wood, McLaren, Watt (Mackie), Grant, Connolly (Mitchell), Ogg.

Subs not used: S McIntosh and Stables.