Lauriston Thistle, Sandys and Tollcross all through to last 16 of Scottish Amateur Cup

Lauriston defeated the three-time winners Harestanes

Lauriston Thistle stunned three-time Scottish Amateur Cup winners Harestanes to go through to the last-16 of the national competition with a 1-0 victory in Edinburgh.

Lothian East outfit Lauriston were so determined to get the fith-round tie played that they gave up home advantage, switching the match from their waterlogged East Pilton Park home ground to the artificial surface at the Jack Kane Centre – a pitch they had never played on before.

Thistle were massive underdogs against the Kirkintilloch outfit who last lifted the Scottish Cup in 2015, but they got in the visitors’ faces early on and that seemed to unsettle them.

Ryan Robertson should have given Lauriston the lead when he rounded the goalkeeper but, forced wide, he attempted to cut the ball back for a team-mate and Harestanes cleared.

Lauriston continued to pass the ball around well in the second half and came close to taking the lead again when Sean Lothian struck a free-kick from 25 yards out which struck the bar.

Lauriston might have felt their chance had passed but that didn’t prove to be the case as Paul Dickson, Matt Hunter and Robertson combined to set up James Hainey in the 71st minute and the ex-Lothian Thistle striker produced a cool left-foot strike to spark wild celebrations.

Debutant goalkeeper Liam Robertson maintained Lauriston’s lead when he produced a terrific save to prevent a certain goal which looked set for the top corner. The home side were able to see the remainder of the tie out to secure a tremendous victory.

Premier Division champions Sandys are also in the hat for the last 16 after they won 3-0 on the road at EK Thistle Colts.

Lethal frontman Wayne McIntosh certainly knows where the net is and he headed the visitors in front after a cagey opening to the match – flicking the ball over two stranded defenders and lobbing the keeper with his head.

Bob McKenzie made it two early in the second half when he fired in McIntosh’s cut-back, and McKenzie found the net again just five minutes later with a stunning strike from 25 yards out.

Tollcross Thistle are also through to the las -16 after they came from behind away to Bannockburn AFC to win 4-2.

It looked bleak for Tollcross after the hosts went 2-0 up inside 15 minutes but a goal each from Stewart O’Neill and Michael Yuill had them level at the interval.

Michael Hornig’s free-kick put Tollcross in front for the first time and then Yuill sent an incredible volley into the net from all of 40 yards.