SAUCHIE JUNIORS bounced back from a two-goal deficit against Cumnock to book a place in the quarter finals of the South Challenge Cup.

The Reds conceded twice in the opening 15 minutes, giving Fraser Duncan’s side a mountain to climb.

Darren Carroll scored just before half time to give the visitors a fighting chance, with Danny Smith levelling as play resumed.

Going into extra time, it fell to Ross Kavanagh to slot one past the keeper and win it for Sauchie, guaranteeing them a spot in the quarters.

Cumnock seemed to lose their cool as the game entered the closing stages, having two men sent off for raised hands to Sauchie players, leaving just nine of them on the pitch at full time.

Darren Cummings, assistant manager for Sauchie Juniors, praised his team’s hunger to come back and win the match.

He said: “It was a tough game, we had a slow start and being down 2-0 within 15 minutes made it a bit hard for ourselves.

“Scoring just before half time gave us a boost and we regrouped and after half time, we started to play football like we could play.

"We had a well-deserved equaliser and we went from strength to strength, we probably could have scored more.

“We had to go to extra time, but we worked for it and got a well-earned winner from Ross Kavanagh.”

Sauchie have established themselves as the team to beat, having gone 11 games undefeated in the league alone.

Their form continues in their cup runs and they will be looking to carry that on as they host Drumchapel United in the quarter final.

Cummings added: “The games can’t come quick enough for us – we just want the next game to come as soon as it can.

“We’re feeling confident about the draw. We don’t fear anybody, I reckon we can give any team a game and we’re feeling good about our squad.

“Drumchapel will be a tough game, they’ll be a hard side to beat, but we’ve got them at home so I do fancy us at Beechwood.”