Benburb 1 Glenafton 5

The last time David Gray scored a goal in Govan he silenced 46,273 supporters at Ibrox Stadium.

That was in January, 2013, when his last minute scorcher earned Montrose an unlikely point as Rangers were romping to the League Two title.

Fast forward three years and the talented Glens midfielder was at it again, this time at Benburb’s New Tinto Park in the third round of the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup.

There might have been 46,000 supporters missing on Saturday afternoon, but Gray’s 25th minute free-kick was still a corker – although the East Kilbride man reckons it wasn’t a patch on his Ibrox strike.

He told Times Sport: “I was delighted to score at Benburb on Saturday, especially as it gave us a two-goal cushion at a crucial stage in the game.

“Even though I felt we were well in control of the match at that point, it’s always important to get that second goal.”

He added: “I must admit I caught the ball just right and I was delighted to see it fly into the top corner, but I’m not sure it was as good as my goal at Ibrox a couple of years ago.

“That one was a bit special and I reckon it’ll take something pretty special to beat it.

“Govan has been good to me so far, as it seems to bring out the best in me!”

Bens went on to score another three times in the second-half to secure a 5-1 win and a quarter-final slot, and Gray would love to seal a personal West Cup double.

The 27-year-old also admitted he’s loving life at Loch Park, after spending time with the likes of Clyde, Montrose, BSC Glasgow, and American side Kitsap Pumas.

He explained: “The West is a massive competition and I’ve already won it with Kilbirnie, so it would be a great achievement to do it again with the Glens.

“I have absolutely no regrets about signing for Glenafton. I’m at a great club with a fantastic coaching staff and set of lads. It has worked out really well for me.”

Despite putting six past top flight Shettleston in the previous round, Bens were always going to be up against it in this third round tie with the New Cumnock side.

But Paul Lovering’s Central District Second Division side were up for the fight, and centre-forward Ryan Livingston – being watched by Queen’s Park – caused Glens some early problems.

But former Maryhill and Arthurlie star Joe Andrew was doing the same at the other end and he had a shot saved in the sixth minute by Bens’ keeper Scott Sommerville.

Craig McGuffie certainly wasn’t the stockiest built player on show but he shrugged off four home defenders in the 19th minute to shoot past Sommerville from 12 yards.

Gray then doubled Glens’ advantage six minutes later when he fired home a 25-yard free-kick.

After the break, Bens were reduced to 10 men when Scott Jarvie was red-carded for a reckless challenge on Glens substitute Darren McGill.

It left the home side with a mountain to climb and Andrew headed home a third on 51 minutes from a pin-point Ally Park cross.

That seemed to be that, but Benburb are made of stern stuff these days and pulled one back when Andy Collenge prodded home from a corner.

The next goal was certainly crucial, and it was the Ayrshiremen who effectively wrapped up the tie just after the hour mark when Mick McCann refused to give up on a lost cause and got his just reward when he thumped a cracking drive past Sommerville from 16 yards.

And McCann ended the game by scoring his second, after Sommerville could only parry a John Paul Boyle drive into the path of the grateful striker.

While Glens were comfortable winners, Bens chief Lovering was spot-on when he said after the match that his side were unlucky to lose by such a large margin.

He added: “I was disappointed to lose the game but to be honest I don’t think there were four goals in it.

“My boys didn’t deserve that because they competed well against a very good Glenafton side.

“Glens had that bit of quality and experience all over the park that it takes to win these type of games, and at times our decision making let us down a bit.

“But the lads worked hard and even when we went down to 10 men, we gave a good account of ourselves.

“We have a young squad but have added a bit of experience recently and that seems to have helped a lot.

“I’m proud of the way my players went about their business and the experience of playing against one of the top sides can only be a good thing.”

Elsewhere, Former Ross County striker David Winters was on target for Pollok as they opened up a five-point gap at the top of the Super League Premier Division.

Allan MacKenzie and Paul Gallacher were also on the scoresheet against struggling Irvine Meadow – who had two men sent-off.

Surprise packets Troon – who have three games in hand over Lok - are up to second after a stunning 4-0 win at Kilbirnie.

However, a deadly double by Dwayne Hyslop saw Auchinleck Talbot beat high-fliers Rob Roy 2-0 – to move menacingly into third spot.

Tommy Sloan’s men have played five games fewer then Pollok and have 21 points – the same number as Troon.

Largs Thistle remain top of the Super League First, despite drawing 2-2 at home to Glencairn, while Cumnock thumped Bellshill 6-1 to move up to joint third.