VALE OF CLYDE boss Ian Currie was put through the emotional wringer on Saturday before his playing charges secured a Euroscot Eng Cup quarter-final slot with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over East Kilbride Thistle.

A two-goal difference was all that kept Tin Pail noses in front of Section Four rivals Rutherglen Glencairn going into their Show Park encounter.

But just 10 minutes in and word filtered through that this advantage had been wiped out by David Dunnachie and Mark Batchelor scores giving the Glens a 2-0 lead at home to Blantyre Vics.

And there was no sign of any consolation for Currie out on the pitch where his players were struggling to exert any dominance on proceedings as someone had clearly forgotten to tell E.K. that they were only supposed to be playing a bit part.

Indeed, the visitors could have found themselves trailing against their admirably spirited opponents had it not been for veteran goalkeeper Jon Connolly twice pulling off decent saves to foil snapshot efforts from home team skipper Alan McFadden.

Faddy then unfortunately took centre stage for all the wrong reasons when the game’s opening goal was netted totally against the run of play on the 18th minute mark.

He gave away possession to Kevin Hamill and saw the Vale midfielder surge forward and set up Connor Stevenson for a low shot that rebounded back off Jags goalkeeper Chris Treacy’s legs.

But following up was striker Billy Stevenson, who stroked the ball into the unguarded net to break the deadlock.

Celebrations had not long died down before an even broader smile creased Currie’s face as mobile phone messages indicated Blantyre had gained 2-2 parity at New Southcroft Park through Lee McShane and Ryan Tiffney goals.

His players were similarly in buoyant mood and looking like extending their lead.

However, they and Currie were to be rocked to their core approaching half-time when East Kilbride’s impressive midfield trialist Cristiano Kissuka levelled the scores at 1-1 with a stunning 25-yard drive.

And a further body blow hit the Tin Pail gaffer before the interval as word reached his ears that Mark Tait had fired the Glens 3-2 ahead so the Ru’Glonians now had one foot in the last eight with 45 minutes left to play.

A number of dubious calls by referee Adam Barclay – officiating on his own – had infuriated players on both sides during the opening period.

And their ire soon surfaced when a few more wrong calls were made after the break.

Yellow cards were shown to visiting duo David Kane and Stevenson as well as Jags midfielder Adam Boyle prior to the whistler deciding to banish a protesting Currie from the touchline and demonstratively insisting on him taking up a terracing spot fully 25 yards away from the Vale dugout.

Hardly had he took up his stance, though, when Vale of Clyde went 2-1 in front with a well-constructed goal that saw Gavin Ross hold the ball up for Stevenson.

His astute through ball sent substitute Ryan Connolly through on goal and he slipped a shot past ChrisTreacey.

No further scoring news coming in from Rutherglen ensued the Tin Pail were now in the driving seat, however E.K were still providing some scares with McFadden heading over from close range.

And this near thing prompted Currie to opt for shutting up shop with the introduction of defensive substitute Ross Hamilton.

East Kilbride pushed hard for another leveller, but Connolly was never seriously tested over the closing stages and the final whistle was loudly greeted by visiting supporters particularly when it was announced that Glencairn had only won 3-2.

Currie said: "It was a nervy affair out there and I reckon the importance of the game added to a very bobbly playing surface led to us playing nowhere near our best.

“Overall, I am not all that disappointed, however a greater vibrancy and thrust will be needed if we are to have hopes of going further in the competition.

“A tough test away to Greenock awaits us now in the quarter-finals and we can and must do a whole lot better than today.”

Jags boss Billy Campbell emerged afterwards to say: “I’ve just praised the players for their performance but also reminded them that we also lost a game when the very least we deserved was a draw.

“A bit more clinical in front of goal and we’d have sent Vale of Clyde away with a bloody nose and we badly missed our main striker Barry Rodger who has a hamstring strain.

“He is one of four injuries we’ve picked up on account of having played four games in the last week and truth is we just don’t have the playing squad strength to deal with such a schedule.”

Pollok also eased themselves into the last eight after former Vale striker Derek Hepburn and Davie Winters bagged hat tricks in an 8-1 mauling of Neilston while Lanark United's 6-0 hammering of Royal Albert sufficed for John Brogan’s men to top Section One on goal difference and earn a trip to meet Wishaw, whose 4-3 success over Gartcairn saw them pip the Junior newcomers to Section Two top spot.