HAT-TRICK hero Darren Cummings reckons Sauchie Juniors can now go on an extended cup run after their emphatic 4-1 Scottish Cup win over Brechin Vics last weekend.

Fraser Duncan's men have been frustrated to crash out of the junior game's most prestigious trophy in the earlier rounds in recent times, but the fit-again striker is now desperate to help them secure cup football after Christmas this year and he reckons they have the spirit in the dressing room to pull it off.

Cummings told Advertiser sport: "Last weekend was another brilliant win for us and great to make it 12 wins from 12 games as well. It was never going to be an easy game for us against Brechin because we knew very little about them going in, so it was just a case of playing our game and trying to put in a professional display.

"Our goal is to be in the Scottish Cup after Christmas and this result brings us one step closer to achieving that now. The Scottish Cup keeps the season going and is a nice change from league business for us, so we have one more game to achieve that and with the mood we have in the dressing room at the moment I see no reason why we won't achieve it.

"It is a real money earner for the club and hopefully this time we can the home draw which has eluded us for a number of years now in the Scottish. We didn't play great in the game, started sloppy and conceded early on, but we have such a good feeling around us at the moment and that is the key.

"It meant that we never panicked and just simply got on with the task at hand and ended up with a comfortable 3-1 half time lead without playing well, so that is always nice and we never looked back from there. We also had a brilliant travelling support with us up in Brechin. It means a lot to me and the rest of the boys to have their support with us and so we are desperate to produce a cup run for them now."

Cummings was thrilled to get back on the goal trial with a well taken treble in the cup win at Brechin last week and admits it is a huge relief for him to finally put his injury hell behind him.

He said: "To score a hat trick was a big relief for me. I still need sharpness and game time, but that will come with every passing week. It was good to get the injuries out of my head finally and I can concentrate on just getting my fitness levels up and producing my best form on the pitch again. Hopefully that is me over that spell now and I can just get back to doing what I love and that is scoring goals for Sauchie."

The experienced hitman, who returned to the club last season after a brief stint at Bo'ness United, is preparing himself for another difficult away trip to face Tayport as the Wee County outfit return to league action this weekend.

Cummings added: "We are back into league business this weekend with a difficult trip to face Tayport this weekend. We know that will be a tough game for us because Tayport are a side I expected to see right up there with us challenging for promotion.

"It would be a massive three points for us if we could get them and so it is one we are all desperate to win. Hopefully we can go there and put on another decent display to keep our winning run going."