MIM, without a national title for over three years, could be about to end their barren run. They won through to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup on Saturday by producing the upset of the day at Cramond where they beat Grange 7-6 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

Their victory over city rivals Grange was achieved after an absorbing contest as MIM twice nullified goals by Donald MacFarlane and James Burns with scores from Paul Chowdry and Gavin Markham.

Grange lost the plot somewhat surprisingly after the interval and it was apparent that penalties would be required, although Chowdry missed a great opportunity to settle the match 14 minutes from the end.

The teams were still locked together at 4-4 after the first series of penalties but MIM eventually got the verdict in sudden death after the Grange player-coach Colin Pretty failed in the ninth round of strokes.

Hazlehead continued their triumphant march at Clydebank. They ran out 7-2 victors, with Richard Munro and Duncan Wood sharing four of their goals.

The championship favourites and league champions Western Grasshopper did not have to be at their best to win 3-0 at Inverleith, but Mimtec Wanderers had to pull out all the stops to win their derby match against Menzieshill. Two goals at the start of the second half by Alan Johnson, after a double by Darren Gibson before the break, set them on the road to a 6-3 success.

Menzieshill gained some consolation yesterday. They beat Stepps 3-1 in the promotion/relegation play-off match. They will be back in first-division hockey next season, no matter the outcome of their appeal against Dundee University playing an unregistered player.

JOSEPH DILLON