Comeback kings Standard Life book semi-final berth

Goals from Nick Munro and Chris Peace were enough to cancel out Gary Cymber's opener for the visitors at Roseburn Park.

Standard Life join East Calder United, winners by 2-1 over Balerno Athletic, in the competition's last four, alongside North Merchiston Vale and Arniston MW, who both won 4-0 in their quarter-finals, against Sporting Icapb and Watt Star respectively.

The tie in the shadow of Murrayfield started in high-tempo fashion with Tranent creating a string of opportunities.

However, the deadlock was broken when Cymber and Bob Bramley combined, the latter floating a tremendous ball over the Standard defence for Cymber to lob over the onrushing goalkeeper Craig Gunderson and put the visitors in front with 39 minutes gone.

Standard pushed hard for an immediate equaliser and were rewarded when a great ball in from Peace ricocheted off several players before landing at the feet of Munro, who made no mistake from two yards out. Tranent were desperate to regain their lead, but were caught on the break when Peace collected the ball inside his own half, and rounded three players before slamming the ball into the net at the far post to put the hosts in front on the stroke of half-time.

Peace floated a free kick just over the bar from 30 yards after the interval, but, increasingly, Tranent pushed Standard backwards with the game being played mainly within their half throughout the last 30 minutes.

Tranent were almost level again when Cymber jumped high and headed straight at keeper Gunderson, who was grateful to clutch the ball in his arms with 20 minutes left. The visitors were unlucky again as defender Craig Fairgrieve found himself unmarked on the edge of the box and powered a shot just past the post.

Tranent had a final chance with a great ball into the box from Bramley, which looked goalbound until Steven Edwards hoofed it off the line, summing up Tranent's day and sealing the victory for the jubilant Standard players. Celebration was the order of the day for Standard manager David Harley, who said: "With the grit and determination I think we can go on and win this competition."

Standard Life: Craig Gunderson, Alan Bomford, David Clark, Paul Bertolotto, Chris Reilly, Paul Hares, Craig Martin, Steven Edwards, Nick Munro, Chris Peace, Darren Waugh, David McMillan, Stephen Golder, Mark Kennedy, Munyaradzi Vengesa, Chris Scott.

Tranent Juniors: Murray Shepherd, Mark Shepherd, Craig Fairgrieve, Dan McNeill, Michael Kane, Ewan Darcy, Craig Inglis, Graham Mark, Dale Martin, Bob Bramley, Gary Cymber, Darren Hunter, Craig Scott, Andy Boyle, Gareth Gray, Paul McKallagher.