Currie 25 - 11 Edinburgh Accies: Donaldson's delight as his stand-ins stand out

And he has warned rivals hoping to derail the Malleny Park men's bid for a league and cup double that the best is yet to come from his side after they booked their place in the last eight of the competition with a 25-11 success.

Currie were without four of their rising stars on duty with the Scotland Under-20 side, and Donaldson is relishing their return as the business end of the season approaches.

"We have no game next week and then we'll have our Under-20 boys back," he said. "This has shown that we have a bit of depth to our squad. I think a lot of people were hoping we would slip up while they were away but we've only had four games and we've won them all."

Assessing a contest that again attracted a sizeable Friday night crowd – the third occasion this season that Currie's floodlights have made night rugby possible – Donaldson was quick to credit opponents who will take heart from their efforts last night for their Premiership top-flight survival battle over the coming weeks.

Accies made a significant contribution to the encounter and their assistant coach Malcolm McVie insists the frustration of the cup departure will be forgotten as the intensity of the battle to avoid relegation gathers pace.

"We're disappointed obviously," he said. "We competed well but we just didn't keep the pressure on when it mattered and that was the difference."

The visitors deservedly took the lead with a penalty by David O'Hagen before Currie struck with tries from Ryan Wilson, Willie Moala and teenager Alan Whittingham, who marked his first start for the club with the touchdown which, combined with two conversions by Johnny Smith, gave them a 19-3 lead.

Many sides in that position have capitulated during Currie's march to the top of the Premiership league table but Accies refused to buckle and, by the break, they were back in the contest after Jamie Sole squeezed in at the corner.

A penalty from the ever-reliable Smith extended Currie's lead but Accies rallied once more.

O'Hagen struck the post with a kick but, when Ruaridh Bonner steered a kick between the sticks, he ensured there was no easing off in the home ranks.

And it took another penalty by Smith to eventually propel Currie into the last eight.

The season now looks set to last into May, but Donaldson is relishing the prospect, stating, "When you are in a position to win things, it can be as long as you want."

Scorers:

Currie: Tries: Wilson, Moala, Whittingham, Cons: Smith (2), Pens: Smith (2)

Edinburgh Accies: Try: Sole. Pens: O'Hagen, Bonner.

Currie: S Walker, W Moala, G White, A MacMahon, A Whittingham, J Smith, R Snedden, J Cox, N Scobie, A Hamilton, R Wilson, A Adam, M Cairns, J Thomson, R Weston. Subs used: A Reekie, M Erskine, J Taggart, I Downie

Edinburgh Accies: J Sole, D Rattray, M Coupar, T Steven, C Dickie, D O'Hagen, M Campbell, D McLeod, D Cherry, S Patience, E Stuart, G Campbell, R Snape, T Drennan, D Teague. Subs used: C Stuart, R Bonner

Referee: J Matthew (Stewart's Melville)