Nobody needed to consult the oracle to predict a New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup shock at Greenfield Park on Saturday.

Last season’s beaten finalists Hurlford United made the journey through to Glasgow without a win in their previous five outings to face a Shettleston side brimming over with confidence on the back of remaining unbeaten over 90 minutes in the 14 games played since the Junior season got underway back in early August.

And it didn’t help that the Ayrshiremen were ravaged by injuries and unavailability of key players ahead of the first round tie.

So the only surprise was they led 2-1 and were looking a good bet to come away with a hard-fought victory until being hit by a late double-whammy from inspirational Town skipper Greig McDonald.

Ford boss Darren Henderson was understandably perturbed at the manner of the goals his players conceded but magnanimously pointed to the perceived gap between the sides as being marginal at best when he spoke afterwards;

“It’s just not good enough to be 2-1 in front with five minutes left to play and unable to see the game out.

“Defence has been one of our key strengths in recent times yet that’s now a total of 11 goals conceded in our last three games and you cannot expect to be a winner when you are leaking like a sieve.

“But our problems don’t just lie with the guys at the back because there are other areas of the pitch where players wearing Hurlford jerseys are bereft of confidence and looking a pale shadow of themselves.

“The cup draws have not been kind and have contributed to make this as tough a spell as I’ve experienced since coming to the club but my approach has never changed and I believe my players should be doing better than they’ve shown.

“That’s no disrespect to Shettleston, who are much improved under Peter Weatherson and Ryan McStay and going by their performance today, I would think they have every chance regaining a Super Premier Division place next season."

The powerful running and tackling of Town midfielder Stevie Logan had caught the eye in a fairly uneventful first half that was lacking in goalmouth action until the home side took the lead in simplistic fashion with 32 minutes on the clock.

Full-back Bob Campbell sent over a cross that Rikky McIntosh headed down to the feet of player/boss Weatherson and he directed a low shot into the corner of the net beyond Hurlford goalkeeper Ally Brown.

Shettleston continued to have the upper hand up to half time but without adding to the 1-0 scoreline however they found themselves under the cosh from a determined Hurlford when the teams reappeared after the interval break.

And this aggressive opening spell was rewarded with a wonder goal in 54 minutes after Paul “Taz” McKenzie chose to ignore the overlapping run of team mate Adam Hodge to cut inside from the right flank and hammer a fierce 22-yard shot high into the net to draw the sides level at 1-1.

Shettleston’s response was to introduce attacking substitute Martin Welsh whose turn of pace proved troublesome for the visiting defenders.

However, Hurlford duly got their noses in front with another outstanding goal on the hour mark.

Bustling frontman John Gemmell had already come close with a powerful free kick blast so the Shettleston wall braced themselves “to take one for the team” when they lined up at another award some 20 yards out.

But this time the much travelled ex-Senior striker showed his defter touch to sublimely curl the ball over the wall and beyond the despairing reach of home goalkeeper Dean Traynor.

A gripping finale was promised as Shettleston laid siege in search of an equaliser and forced Hurlford to defend deep around their own penalty box and several near things ensued until an 86th minute breakthrough arrived as a bout of pressure ended with Greig McDonald glancing home a left-wing cross for 2-2.

One immediately thought a penalty kicks shoot out was in the offing however Shettleston continuing on the ascendancy was rewarded after a fine interchange of passes down the left led to a cross into the penalty box that Weatherson headed down for McDonald to knock home and spark great scenes of celebration.

A loud roar greeted the final whistle sounding to signal Shettleston securing their passage into the next round much to the delight of co-player/boss Ryan McStay, whose composure on the ball had been instrumental in Shettleston’s late rally.

He said: "Hurlford have scored two out of this world goals that might have knocked the stuffing out of us but for the battling spirit and self-belief that Peter and I have tried to instil in our players ever since coming here.

“It’s pleasing to see the lessons paying dividends as we are working 24/7 to bring success to this club as our way of saying thanks to Hugh Kelly for taking a gamble on us as his management team.

“Up to now the only blip has been losing the Exsel Cup Final on penalty kicks to Rob Roy, but it’s an indication of the progress being made that the players here have matched up with the Super Premier league leaders over 90 minutes and have now beaten a very strong and powerful Hurlford.

“Today was a great team performance so it’s hard to pick out any single player for praise however I felt young Martin Welsh was the catalyst for our win as his pace and willingness to run the channels forced Hurlford to sit deep.

“He’s like all the other players in arriving for training and games with smiles on their faces and long may that continue.”

In other first round ties, cup holders Auchinleck Talbot overcame Cambuslang Rangers 3-0 with goals from Keir Milliken(2) and Graham Wilson while Super Premier frontrunners Rob Roy were the day’s highest scorers as Willie Sayers(2) Amadou Kassarate Chris Duff and substitute Kevin Watt (3) netted in a 7-2 rout of East Kilbride Thistle.

Ian Cashmore, Calvin Kemp and Bryan Boylan were on target as Kilwinning Rangers ran out 3-0 winners over top flight rivals Arthurlie and there was an equally emphatic scoreline at Townhead Park where Cumnock beat Clydebank 4-0 with counters from Adam Hunter, Sean McKenzie , Scott Anson and Mark Williams .

Petershill came from behind to beat Bellshill Athletic 2-1 with second half scores by Jason Hardie and Paul Finnigan (pen) , Glenn Thomson bagged the only goal of the game as Largs beat Wishaw 1-0 and a much changed Maryhill had Lee McLelland (2) and Dale Clark on target in a 3-2 defeat of Lugar Boswell.

WEEKEND RESULTS: New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup.First Round: Bellshill Athletic 1 Petershill 2, Johnstone Burgh 1 Royal Albert 2, Rob Roy 7 East Kilbride Thistle 2, Thorniewood Utd 4 Yoker Athletic 2, Vale of Clyde 2 Darvel 3,Rutherglen Glencairn 1 Irvine Meadow 1(Meadow win 4-3 pens), Kilwinning Rangers 3 Arthurlie 0, Largs Thistle 1 Wishaw 0, Maybole 2 Girvan 0, Vale of Leven 0 Annbank Utd 3, Whitletts Vics 3 St Anthony's 1, St Roch's 2 Muirkirk 0, Cumnock 4 Clydebank 0, Newmains Utd 0 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 4, Saltcoats Vics 2 Shotts Bon Accord 1,Greenock 0 Troon 2, Lugar Boswell 2 Maryhill 3, Port Glasgow 1 Neilston 1 (Neilston win 3-2 pens), Kilbirnie Ladeside 4 Forth Wanderers 1, Irvine Vics 0 Rossvale 3, Benburb 0 Glasgow Perthshire 0,( Benburb win 5-4 pens Gartcairn 2 Cumbernauld Utd 0, Glenafton 3 Carluke Rovers 2, Dalry Thistle 0 Pollok 3,Kello Rovers 1 Blantyre Vics 4, Cambuslang Rangers 0 Auchinleck Talbot 3, Beith 4 Ardeer Thistle 1, Kilsyth Rangers 0 Renfrew0 (Kilsyth win 4-3 pens), Lesmahagow 1 Craigmark 2, Ashfield 1 Larkhall Thistle 2, Shettleston 3 Hurlford Utd 2.