Ashfield's players kept alive their dream of a silverware send-off for boss Stevie Rankin with a 1-0 Euroscot Eng Central League Cup victory over Petershill last night.

The Possil outfit won the right to play Neilston or Pollok in the final with a determined and aggressive display and their winning margin would and could have been far greater but for a performance by Peasy No.1 Mike White.

Delighted gaffer Rankin, who is moving to take up the reins at Irvine Meadow at the end of this season, said: "This is a very difficult time for myself at the club knowing I am walking away from an outstanding bunch of players.

"I want them to win this cup to do themselves proud and not as any parting gift for myself.

"Their general play at times was different class and our clean sheet was a result of the guys defending as if their lives depended upon it.

"I don't often single out individuals for praise but Jim Smith was an absolute colossus at the heart of our defence, with Andy Brand not far behind and they made sure very little got through to trouble Stevie Hall in our goal.

"The Petershill goalkeeper broke our hearts with superb second-half saves but thankfully we already had our noses in front at that stage."

The only goal of the game arrived just before half-time when Ashfield were pressing hard after already hitting the woodwork when Smith headed against the junction of post and bar.

But Ashfield midfielder Bert Wright broke the deadlock after he raced on to a deft through pass by Chrissy Hall and fired a low shot under White and into the net.

Referee Derek Crothers had to resort to his yellow card to keep the lid on matters that threatened to boil over on several occasions, notably when Ashfield ball-winner Lee McShane felled Liam Finnigan with a crunching challenge right in front of an incensed Peasy dugout.

Peasy co-boss Scott Smith said: "It looked like Ashfield wanted it more and that is disappointing – but then we are a shadow of the team we were earlier in the season."

In other games last night, Shotts Bon Accord were officially relegated after going down 3-0 away to Arthurlie for whom Paul Stewart, Stevie Crawford and James Marks were on the scoresheet.

One division lower, Rutherglen Glencairn's attempt to finish third in the table and earn a promotion play-off spot was ended by a 2-0 defeat from Kilbirnie Ladeside, with Chris 'Bugsy' Malone and Chris Craig on target.

Largs Thistle will now play off against the third bottom Super Premier side leaving the Ru'glonians to concentrate all their efforts on finishing fourth in the standings.

They face a battle to get ahead of Thorniewood United, who had Des Bradshaw and Kevin Hammill (2) on target in a 3-0 victory over Renfrew.

Johnstone Burgh's 2-0 defeat of Forth ensures the Keanie Park side will pip Wishaw to the third promotion spot from the Central Second Division.