HURLFORD UNITED squeezed into the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup with a 2-0 victory over Beith but what should have been a cause for celebration felt more like a wake following a turgid Blair Park encounter.

Semi-finals often turn out to be gruelling affairs but Saturday’s head to head between two sides running on empty as a result of eight games in 16 days schedules, really did take the biscuit.

There was precious little in a footballing sense to excite spectators but thankfully they were given plenty to shout about by the over-fussy referee Craig Napier who somehow found a need to issue seven yellow cards.

General fatigue had ensued and both teams were missing key players in their starting line-ups but Beith’s gamble to go with John Sheridan at the heart of their defence backfired when the inspirational Mighty skipper signalled he was unable to continue with just 12 minutes played.

It marked a double blow for Beith. Two minutes earlier Hurlford had taken the lead after a Paul McKenzie corner was headed goalwards by Ross Roberston and strike partner Ryan Donnelly flicked the ball home for 1-0.

The expectation that the home side’s superior physical prowess would be a telling factor, proved unfounded as the Ford failed to build on their early breakthrough and a Richie McKillen header from another set piece was the closest they came to doubling their advantage before half time.

The second 45 minutes proved to be every bit as scrappy yet it was noticeable that Beith were figuring more prominently as an attacking force albeit without seriously threatening Ally Brown’s goal.

Frustration at their own ineffectiveness contributed to some tenacious challenges and one flashpoint incident led to yellow cards for Ford full back Craig McClune and Beith counterpart Zander Ryan as well as visiting gaffer Johnny Millar being compelled to vacate his dugout berth by Mr Napier.

Millar said: “We were down to the bare bones personnel wise and it told on us out there particularly after taking off Shez whose tight hamstrings have been bothering him for weeks but we’ve had no choice other than to play him.

“It might be the case now that we wrap the big man in cotton wool and keep him for the Scottish Cup final against Pollok.”

"It’s disappointing not to continue our West Cup run, however we have bigger fish to fry.”

The second and decisive goal arrived in the 88th minute when the tenacious McKenzie refused to give up on a long punt forward and he managed to divert the ball across goal to burly front man Robertson and he lashed the ball home to seal a 2-0 triumph much to the relief of Ford boss Darren Henderson.

He insisted: "We didn’t try to create openings and that’s probably the worst game of football I’ve seen all season.

But positive is we are in the New Coin Holdings Cup Final and everyone connected with the club will be looking forward to that occasion.

Also through to the showpiece final are 12-time trophy winners Auchinleck Talbot who came good in a ding-dong l clash with great rivals Cumnock by a 3-2 scoreline.

All had looked to be going according to plan when Talbot led 1-0 through a first-half Graham Wilson penalty.

Cumnock staged a second-half fightback to score twice through Ray Montgomery and Del Esplin however hopes of a shock outcome were put to bed by Wilson and Mark Shankland's last-minute winner.

Pollok’s comprehensive 3-0 defeat of Glenafton through goals from Paul Gallagher, Liam Rowan and Davie Winters has kept alive the southside club’s dream of a double while another challenger Kilbirnie Ladeside reinforced their claims with Martin Grehan, Kevin Turner and Caolan McAleer scores contributing to a 3-1 victory over Pettershill whose consolation score came from Kieron Daw.

So there’s everything to play for tonight with league leaders Talbot hosting the visit of near neighbours Glenafton while Kilbirnie and Pollok lock horns in a Valefield showdown where neither of them can afford to drop points.

Meanwhile, Peasy supporters are facing up to the prospect of relegation tonight unless they win their final Super Premier game at home to doomed Irvine Meadow however even a victory may not suffice to save Willie Patterson’s men if results go the way of basement rivals Arthurlie and Shettleston in home games against Beith and Hurlford respectively.

Clydebank are the only Super First Division title contender in action when heading through to face Cumbernauld United with the Bankies determined to bounce back from dropping two points in their 2-2 weekend draw where a last-minute Nikky Little counter earned Budgie McGhie’s men a share of the spoils.

Wishaw can take a step closer to securing promotion from The Central First Division with a win at home to Lesmahagow while out to take advantage of ant slip-up are third top Maryhill readying themselves to take on Neilston at Lochburn Park.