SAUCHIE boss Fraser Duncan admitted he was just relieved his side managed to get through a tricky Scottish Cup tie at Bellshill last Saturday.

The manager was proud of his players' battling spirit in the wake of a hard-fought encounter at Rockburn Park.

And he admitted that it didn't matter how his side won, as long as they made sure of their place in the draw for the last 16.

Duncan told Advertiser Sport: "It was a funny game to be honest. The park was terrible and it was blowing a gale, and that meant it turned into a bit of a battle. I'm just glad that our boys battled through it.

"We tried to play football throughout the game but we couldn't get into any sort of rhythm.

"We couldn't string four or five passes together so we had to change our gameplan and go a bit more direct.

"Bellshill made it difficult for us, but our boys managed to step up to the mark. Despite everything that was going on I never felt as though the game was in any doubt.

"It felt like a good old-fashioned Scottish Cup tie, but I didn't feel as though we were going to be beaten."

He added: "The most important thing is that our name is in the draw. I said that to the players after the game.

"Having got to the quarter-finals last year, to now be in the last 16 is brilliant."

Sauchie are in cup action again this weekend when they take on Thornton Hibs in the Fife and Lothians Cup, and Duncan insisted that they will be taking nothing for granted against their Premier League opponents.

He said: "We can kick on now this week and make sure we get ourselves into the quarter-finals of the Fife and Lothians Cup.

"Saturday will be another tough game. Thornton Hibs are doing alright in the Premier League and have strung some decent results together.

"We will have to approach that with caution but it will be good for the lads to get a game back on our own pitch this week."

The manager is keen to add to his squad with injuries beginning to have an effect, and he hopes to have at least one new addition in place by the end of the week.

Duncan added: "We do have a few injury worries. Craig Comrie has tweaked his hamstring so we're not sure how long he'll be out for yet.

"Graeme King will be out for another few weeks so we are down to about 14 players.

"There are a few other wee knocks and injuries so we will be looking to add to the squad this week at some point.

"We're speaking to some players just now so hopefully we will be able to get something sorted out by the end of the week."