Dougie Samuel proud as Spartans come up short in promotion pursuit
Spartans boss Dougie Samuel has spoken of his pride after the club fell short in their quest for promotion to League One.
The League Two runners up drew 1-1 with Clyde in their semi-final second leg - Scott Williamson's 66th-minute penalty cancelling out Callum Booth's first-half opener for the hosts at the Vanloq Community Stadium.
However, a 2-0 loss at New Douglas Park in the first leg last Tuesday ensured a 3-1 win on aggregate and it's the Bully Wee who will face Hamilton in the final.
"Firstly I'm really proud of all the players and staff's efforts this season," Samuel told the Evening News. "It has been a league campaign which has taken the club to new heights and a campaign we have enjoyed. In addition, the the team has enjoyed some memorable success in various cup competitions.
"However, naturally everyone is disappointed not to achieve our goal of securing promotion. East Kilbride deserve great credit for putting together a significant unbeaten run across Q3 and Q4 which enabled them to claim the title. It's fair to say a few debatable decisions and calls have gone against us in the latter stages of the season and in the play-off games.
"We've missed some hugely influential players at the wrong time of the season. However, when the dust settles, everyone can be proud of our achievements. As a club we continue to grow, to improve on and off the park. This year has fed our sense of ambition and appetite to keep improving and deliver continued success going forward."
Meanwhile, Edinburgh City's plight to preserve their SPFL status is finely poised following a 1-1 draw at Brora Rangers.
The second leg takes place at Meadowbank on Saturday.
The Citizens, who finished bottom of League Two, fell behind at Dudgeon Park in the 11th minute when James Anderson fired home following Craig MacKenzie's cross.
But Michael McIndoe's men fought back when Divine Iserhienrhien showed great strength to fend off his marker and lash the ball into the net from eight yards.
City will now be confident they can see the job through this weekend and retain their berth in Scottish football's fourth tier next season.