Johnstone Burgh progressed to the semi finals of the Scottish Junior Cup with a penalty shootout victory over Irvine Meadow XI. Both sides were well backed, with an estimated attendance of over 1,000.

In the first half, Burgh had chances through Ciaran Diver, Max Kerr, Malky McDonald and Ross Davidson but Jamie Barclay in the Medda goal wasn't truly tested.

At the other end, Luke Scullion made a fairly routine save from a Tam Cruden overhead kick.

There were very few chances in the second half, with Cammy Eadie, Davidson and Diver having efforts for the hosts but, again, failed to test Barclay.

With 11 minutes to play, both sides had their best chance of the game. Meadow had a free kick out wide, which was swung into the Burgh box. Stewart Davidson got his head on it, and looked to give the visitors an unlikely lead, but Scullion scrambled across his goal to make an excellent save and claw it away. From this, Burgh launched a rapid counter attack which saw Max Kerr cross the ball low to an unmarked Ciaran Diver, whose left footed effort was sure to send Burgh into the semi finals, but somehow Jamie Barclay managed to divert it onto the bar making an incredible save with his foot.

In the 82nd minute the visitors were reduced to 10 men, when Stewart Davidson flung himself in front of the advancing Kyle Lafferty and received his second yellow card of the match and was subsequently sent off.

The final eight minutes, plus six minutes of added time, saw Burgh throwing everything at the away side but couldn't create any clear cut chances. It was, however, Irvine Meadow who had the best chance in added time when they broke following a Burgh corner and with Euan Baird racing forward, he faced Scullion one on one and tried to beat him at the near post, but Scullion once again pulled off a great save to keep the scores level.

With the score goalless after 90 minutes, the match went straight to penalties.

Irvine Meadow were first up, and David Anderson converted, putting it in the top corner (0-1). Alan Cook was first up for us and he also netted, sending Barclay the wrong way. (1-1)
Euan Baird scored down the middle for Meadow (1-2), and Fraser Mullen converted his spot kick, also sending Barclay the wrong way. (2-2)
Gallacher was next for Meadow but put his spot kick over the bar (2-2). Barclay guessed the right way for Ross Davidson's penalty, but Davidson's effort was too good and put Burgh ahead in the shootout. (3-2)
Next up was Greg Cree. A good penalty but Scullion, at full stretch, tipped it onto the post (3-2). Kyle Lafferty stepped up, knowing if he scored The Burgh would win. Barclay, again, went the right way but Lafferty's penalty was buried into the bottom corner and the former Northern-Ireland international sent Burgh into the semi finals. (4-2).

Half Time: 0-0

Full Time: 0-0

Penalties: 4-2 (Cook, Mullen, Davidson, Lafferty)

Starting XI: Scullion, Mullen, Cook, Eadie, O'Neill, Esplin (C), Mason, Davidson, Diver, McDonald, Kerr

Man Of The Match: Luke Scullion

Thank you for your support at Keanie Park. It was a frustrating afternoon for The Burgh, against an Irvine Meadow side who came with a gameplan to frustrate us. Details of the semi final are not yet known, but will be communicated once we know. The Burgh will face either Drumchapel United, Largs Thistle or the winner of Camelon/Tranent. Next week we're back in league action, as we make one of our shortest away journeys of the season, travelling to New Tinto Park to face St Cadocs. Kick off is at 14:00.

A selection of images from the Quarter Final is below. Click here to view more images.