Rob Roy celebrated their first trophy success in 43 years yesterday with a 4-2 penalty kick shoot-out victory over Shettleston at Somervell Park to lift the Exsel Group Sectional League Cup.

Young goalkeeping protégé Jordan Brown earned himself the man-of-the-match honours after brilliantly beating away a couple of near identical spot kicks.

And those double saves left striking team-mate Willie Sawyers the chance to grab the spotlight by sticking away his side’s fourth consecutive penalty kick after the game ended up 0-0 in regulation time.

But even diehard Rabs supporters would admit the Kirkintilloch outfit rode their luck to get hold of the silverware after finishing the game with only ten men following the 74th minute dismissal of Shaun Fraser for a reckless challenge that had felled Town ace Rikky McIntosh and left his team-mates up against it.

That they did escape in the end was down to lower league Shettleston's inability to make the most of their numerical advantage as well as failing to stick away what goalscoring chances came their way .

Indeed, the clearest opportunity of the 90 minutes presented itself just 90 seconds before Fraser’s red card when a fiercely struck Peter Weatherson free-kick rebounded off Brown’s frame and straight into the path of Martin Welsh whose volleyed attempt from no less than four yards flew wide of the gaping goal.

The 21 year old shotstopper said afterwards: "That was definitely squeaky bum time as Weatherson’s shot has kicked up off the surface and caught me unawares and I could do nothing but look on helplessly .

“In fairness, the ball has bounced just as awkwardly for the Shettleston player and I’m only glad he missed the target.

“Saving the penalty kicks was down to pure guesswork and thankfully I twice managed to get it right.”

Rob Roy started the stronger of the two finalists but without seriously troubling confident Town No.1 Dean Trainor and as so often happens in these instances Town midfielder Lewis Kinnaird received the best early scoring opportunity when he chased down a loose pass to run through on goal only for his parting effort to fly high, wide and not very handsome.

Further near things came and went for the dangerous Fraser, but half-time was reached with the scoreline showing a 0-0 stalemate and defences were again on top when the second half got underway.

Shettleston had secured a better grip on overall play, but Rob Roy continued to dominate territorially and looked the more inventive going forward.

However, the loss of Fraser changed things and they found themselves under pressure going into the closing stages.

Town substitute Ryan Scott came close with a speculative effort from a Bob Campbell cross and Walsh fizzed a low shot just inches wide in 88 minutes that had Brown scrambling across goal to see round his post.

The spot kick drama was not restricted to Brown saving superbly from Jordan Halsham and McIntosh or Sawyers adroitly firing home to clinch victory because veteran Rabs midfielder Gary McMenamin was also the recipient of a red card from whistler Stephen Brown after appearing to gesticulate to jeering Shettleston fans after he netted his side’s third penalty kick score .

Rabs team captain McMenamin was then denied the chance to be presented with his team’s trophy prize by West Region officials pointing out the red card meant he was not allowed back onto the playing pitch.

Triumphant team boss Stewart Maxwell said: "We were nervy out there and didn’t play anywhere like we can despite having the bulk of the possession and I find that disappointing .

“ However, it’s not how you win that counts as much as simply winning and I’m delighted for everyone connected with Rob Roy.”