GLASGOW Perthshire manager Billy Adams praised his side’s doggedness after they narrowly beat Darvel 1-0 on Saturday to set up an Evening Times Champions Cup semi-final clash with Cambuslang Rangers.

There was plenty of endeavour and battling spirit shown by the Ayrshiremen to ensure they were never totally out of the tie but the resolute Keppoch Park centre back pair Mark Thomson and Davie Kirkwood kept them at bay as the Shire struggled to build on Fraser Malcolm's early goal.

And a proud Adams said: “We had played only one game in the eight weeks leading up to today so it speaks volumes about the players that they have managed to maintain their fitness levels and competitive edge.

“And we were only able to name two substitutes because five regulars were posted missing for various reasons so to get through to the semi-final is a real achievement in the circumstances.

“It was tough going out there at times yet we probably deserved to edge things on the balance of play.”

Only three minutes had been played when a missed sliding challenge by Darvel full-back Martin Findlay allowed the ball to be shuttled wide to the experienced Malcolm and he cut inside past another defender before despatching a low 20-yard shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Davie Markey.

The goalscorer said afterwards: "Although I play down the left flank my right foot is the stronger so it’s natural for me to be coming infield to have a pop at goal and thankfully my shot found the net.

“I thought we might go for the jugular after scoring so early but instead we sat too deep in looking to protect our lead and Darvel were allowed to get themselves into the game.”

The visitors’ attacking riposte to going a goal behind brought loud penalty claims as Jordan Ryan was downed inside the box but whistler Ryan Oliver was having none of it.

And an even better equalising chance presented itself when Greg Vernon was sent clean through on goal, however the striker made a hash of rounding Shire keeper Chris Calder and was blocked.

Scoring opportunities were few and far between for the rest of the opening 45 minutes though Darvel winger Jordan Ryan will probably feel he should have done better than find the side netting with a close-range effort.

The second half saw defences again on top and frustrations boiled over to bring a spate of yellow cards before speedy Shire frontman Craig Smith went past a couple of opponents in 65 minutes to fire a shot just wide of target.

The closing stages saw the visitors intensify their efforts to get back on level terms and a Jamie Henderson header hit the top of the crossbar. A further bout of pressure saw two scoring attempts cleared off the line before relief for the Possil outfit’s backline arrived with the final whistle.

Darvel’s dejected gaffer Scott Clelland admitted afterwards: “My disappointment comes from knowing the players haven’t done themselves justice with their performance out there today.

“They are capable of so much better and that’s now two Cup games in the past week where they have let themselves down.

“The late flurry where we have come close to snatching an equaliser cannot disguise the fact we lacked a cutting edge and had very few shots on the Perthshire goal.”

Cambuslang Rangers earned their Evening Times Champions Cup berth after clinching the Central First Division title with a dramatic 4-3 victory away to Neilston.

Everything appeared to be going to plan when goals from Thomas “Deco” Kilmartin, Craig Hastings and John Gemmell (pen) helped the The Lang forge a 3-1 lead over their hosts whose score had come from Alan Diack.

But youngster Martin Curren netting a quickfire brace for the Brig O’Lea men appeared to have kyboshed title dreams until the award of a last minute penalty kick which Kilmartin fired home to spark wild scenes of celebration.

Elsewhere, East Kilbride Thistle confirmed they will be joining Glasgow Perthshire in the First Division next season after Ross Gillan’s headed goal earned a 1-0 win at home to Newmains United that ensures the Jags will finish in third top spot.

WEEKEND RESULTS : Evening Times Champions Cup.Preliminary Round.Glasgow Perthshire 1 Darvel 0.McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Rob Roy 0 Glenafton 2, Beith 3 Auchinleck Talbot 0.McBookie.com Super First Division.Clydebank 4 Shettleston 1, Maryhill 2 Irvine Meadow 2, Girvan 1 Renfrew 0, Shotts Bon Accord 0 Blantyre Vics 1.

McBookie.com Central First Division.St Rochs 2 Greenock 2, Thorniewood Utd 3 Johnstone Burgh 1, Neilston 3 Cambuslang Rangers 4.McBookie.com Central Second Division. East Kilbride Thistle 1 Newmains Utd 0.McBookie.om Ayrshire District League. Muirkirk 0 Craigmark 3. Central League Cup.Quarter Final. Petershill 5 Rossvale 1.Third Round.Forth Wanderers 3 Benburb 4.

Saturday was also conclusive in the Super Premier Division title race after Glenafton were crowned champions on the back of a Chris Dallas brace bringing a 2-0 victory over rivals Rob Roy at the same time as challengers Auchinleck Talbot were succumbing to a 3-0 defeat away to Beith for whom Ross McPherson, Joe Bradley and Calum Watt were on the mark.

Congratulations are also in order for Keiran McAnespie and his Clydebank playing charges after promotion from the Super First Division was secured by Jordan Shelvey, Jamie Darroch and Nikky Little (2) goals bringing a 4-1 triumph over Shettleston in the Bankies’ final league game of the season.

The champions mantle is not theirs for the taking as Girvan (with two games left to play) are just four points behind the Bankies thanks to Tony Murphy netting the only goal of the game against Renfrew.

At the other end of the table, Maryhill moved out of the relegation dropzone for the first time this season following a battling 2-2 draw at home to Irvine Meadow who had led 2-0 through a brace of goals netted by former Lochburn Park fans favourite Willie Wells only for Colin Preston and Justin Begg to earn parity for the Hill.

Maryhill’s fight for safety faces a stringent test tonight when John Hughes and his players make the long haul South to face would-be champions Girvan while basement rivals Cumbernauld United host the visit of Rutherglen Glencairn whose faltering promotion dreams rest upon Girvan losing both their remaining fixtures and Petershill (facing Irvine Meadow tonight) failing to pick up full points from their final two league games.

And there’s a vital Central First Division clash taking place at Craighead Park where Lesmahagow will suffer a relegation fate if they lose by a two goal margin against Neilston

PLAYING TONIGHT (Kick Offs 7.30PM): McBookie.com Super Premier Division.Auchinleck Talbot v Kilwinning Rangers.McBookie.com Super First Division.Cumbernauld Utd v Rutherglen Glencairn, Girvan v Maryhill , Petershill v Irvine Meadow.McBookie.com Central District First Division.Greenock v Thorniewood Utd, Lesmahagow v Neilston.