Spartans hopes of progressing to the knock-out stages of the Lowland League Cup came to an end at Ainslie Park as they went down 1-3 to Bo’ness United in the final group fixture.

Having earned two draws in the previous group matches, it was winner-takes-all in the North Edinburgh sunshine.

There was early action from both sides to draw applause from the 267 supporters in the sunshine with Jack Newman forced into a fine save before Jamie Dishington looked on to see the woodwork deny him twice in as many games.

It all got a bit chaotic in the away dug-out when Michael Herd went in to collect the match ball and there was an almighty stramash that resulted in match prep notes strewn across the paddock before Herd and Bo’ness gaffer Max Christie were shown yellow cards for their involvement in the incident.

Back to the football and Scott Maxwell dashed to bye-line before shipping the ball into the box only for the Bo’ness keeper to collect it ahead of Blair Henderson who came racing in.

Against the run of play, the visitors took the lead with a quarter of an hour on the clock.

The away technical area was certainly the area where the incidents were happening, this time as Alan Brown went in for a 50/50 that some suggested wasn’t quite as equal in terms of percentage points.

Bradley Whyte was desperately unlucky not to draw his side level ahead of the half time whistle when he let fly from 25 yards, only to see it rattle the post and the rebound couldn’t be converted.

HT: Spartans 0-1 Bo’ness United

Spartans made a change at the break with Cammy Russell replacing Sam Jones.

Nine minutes into the half, Spartans equalised. A corner into the six yard box found Kevin Waugh who powered his header into the back of the net.

Less than ten minutes later, the pendulum swung back in the favour of the visitors as they regained the lead.

Gaffer Dougie Samuel threw the dice – or indeed four of them – making a quadruple substitution with S Newman, Smith, Burns and McFarland replacing Whyte, Herd, C Brown and Caves.

A chance for Cammy Russell from the edge of the box saw him thunder in a drive, however it was rising from impact and went over the bar.

Then, with just five minutes left on the clock, Bo’ness finished off the game with a third decisive strike.

FT: The Spartans 1-3 Bo’ness United

Malt & Hops Man of the Match: Alan Brown

Spartans progressed into the Quarter Finals of the TradeRadiators South Challenge Cup with a 1-3 win on the road against Vale of Leven.

Blair Carswell took up a spot on the bench along with Mackie Scott, Chris Inglis and Sam Coats, all three fresh from their Under 20s win on Friday night against Bonnyrigg Rose.

Jamie Dishington reached his 200 appearance milestone and the playmaker was to produce a Malt and Hops Man of the Match two goal scoring display that impressed many within the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium.

Spartans had the ball in the net early on however it was denied by the flag of the far-side linesman who spotted Blair Henderson offside.

The next time the ball landed in the onion bag was to count however and a long ball from defence found Jamie Dishington who had the skill and pace to beat the defender and shoot past the keeper.

That lead wasn’t to last for too long. Strains of Arthur Montford “there’s a stramash in the six yard box” would have graced the commentary as the ball bounced around legs like doofers on a pinball machine and somehow it found it’s way past Newman and into the net.

A strong shout for a Spartans penalty came shortly after when Blair Henderson’s header appeared to be stopped by the defender’s hand. The Ref threw his arms by his side however and play raged on.

The hosts were living dangerously at the back. Great play by Jamir Dishington saw his shot diverted into the air by the outstretched leg of the keeper. The rebound was headed goalward by Sam Jones, only for it to be cleared off the line by a defender.

HT: Vale of Leven 1-1 The Spartans

The second half got underway and continued as the first half ended – with Spartans attacking. The heavy pitch curtailed the game as one with a lot of pace and understandably, there were some tired legs on display.

Scott Maxwell then sent in a telling low cross along the six yard area however it was just about cut out by a defender before it reached the awaiting Blair Henderson.

A short corner offered Rhys Caves a pop at goal only to watch it come back off the bar. The rebound bobbled about the box before being cleared to safety.

Sassy and classy Jamie Dishington then edge Spartans ahead for the second time. The double centurion controlled the ball at then edge of the box and curled the ball out of the reach of the flying Leven keeper.

Sam Jones then had his heels clipped as he advanced on goal and the Ref had an easy decision to make as he pointed to the spot. Blair Henderson stepped up and slotted away the penalty with aplomb.

Spartans made a couple of changes, Ian McFarland and Sam Newman coming on at the expense of Whyte and Caves.

Full Time: Vale of Leven 1-3 The Spartans

Malt & Hops Man of the Match : Jamie Dishington

Spartans and East Stirlingshire played out a no score draw in Friday night’s Lowland League match at Falkirk Stadium.

Swept aside snow bordered the astro carpet and the temperature was more akin to the artic circle as the sides made their way out of their respective tunnels.

In the Spartans side was new signing Craig Brown from Montrose who joined on long until the end of the season.

An early opportunity for the visitors saw Sam Jones unleash a long range strike which ruffled the roof of the net, sadly on the wrong side of the crossbar.

Play raged on as both sides looked to take control of the game however after two match balls needed to be found in the surrounding environs it was clear that the icy wind was playing havoc.

A Shire free-kick had Jack Newman needing to look lively and the keeper pushed the swirling ball over the bar for a corner.

With the half time whistle about to sound, a Spartans free-kick into the box from Sam Jones found Blair Henderson at the back post but he could only head wide under pressure.

Half Time | East Stirlingshire 0-0 The Spartans

Ryan Finnie found himself in disagreement with the match official when he was pinged for a foul on the touchline. What looked like a good old fashioned shoulder to shoulder coming together saw the Shire man find the deck with consummate ease and earning himself a free-kick which came to nowt.

Fouls were ten-a-penny it would seem and another on Craig Brown saw the newbie unceremoniously clattered. From the resultant dead ball effort, Blair Henderson found the ball at his feet however he couldn’t force it through the plethora of players in the box.

On the hour mark, Sam Newman replaced Allan Smith up front as the Gaffer introduced fresh legs to the side.

Another replacement with a quarter of an hour left, saw a welcome return to action for Alan Brown who came on for Ryan Finnie.

As the game hurtled towards the final whistle, Blair Henderson tracked down an ambitious pass back, but he was initially thwarted by the keeper before his rebounded effort came off a defender and away to safety.

Full Time: East Stirlingshire 0-0 The Spartans

Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Kevin Waugh