SPARTANS saw their fairytale Scottish Cup campaign come to a shuddering halt as Berwick Rangers finally overcame their Lowland League foes to book a place in their first quarter-final in 35 years.
The dauntless part-timers from the capital were seeking to become just the third non-league side in the history of the competition to reach the last eight, following in the footsteps of Elgin City and Eyemouth United, who both achieved the feat in the 1960s.
However, it proved a step too far as they succumbed to a Darren Lavery strike - with the additional heartbreak of striking the bar after 88 minutes. While romantics will feel for Dougie Samuel's side - and the remarkable 'Spartan Army' which saw around 800 fans travel from the capital - the 'magic of the cup' is alive and well with Berwick's progression to the last eight.
Colin Cameron, a Scottish Cup winner with Hearts in 1998, will now take his side to face Hibernian next month, ensuring a £120,000 pay-day for the Wee Rangers and a wonderful stroll down memory lane for the club's supporters. Berwick last participated in the quarter-final of the nation's premier cup tournament in the 1979/80 campaign, playing out a 0-0 draw against a Hibs side which included former Manchester United icon George Best and managed by the late, great Eddie Turnbull.
They ultimately lost out 1-0 in the replay at Easter Road thanks to a solitary Ally MacLeod strike. Yet, the evening had started so well for Spartans, who emerged from the dressing room with vigour and belief and could have been in front in a whirlwind first 10 minutes. Within six minutes Paul Sludden has fizzed a shot narrowly wide of William Bald's post following a fine surge forward from Kevin Motion. That was followed by a blocked William Bremner drive.
However, they paid for those missed chances when Lavery volleyed home a sumptuous Paul Willis corner kick from point-blank range after 27 minutes. A scrappy second half saw neither side excel. Berwick, however, did manage to craft a fine opportunity when Willis latched onto a loose ball in the box and struck the foot of the post from eight yards.
While Berwick cursed the woodwork on that occasion, it was their saviour on 88 minutes when full-back Jack Nixon popped up inside the box to rattle a right-footed drive against the bar.
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