Newbigging's men enjoy another fine win in the west

While most sides still wait to play their third-round ties, United followed up a fine win at Yoker the previous weekend with another good victory in the West, this time on an artificial pitch in Lanarkshire.

First-half goals from John Fraser and Brian McQueen looked to have put last season's Super League champions on easy street before substitute Andy Selkirk pulled one back as the home side staged a stirring second-half performance.

But Bo'ness held on for the win in what, remarkably, was their eighth successive cup tie, having last played a league fixture in early October.

"It is nice to get this one out of the way and, with other teams still having a couple of rounds to play, we will hopefully get the chance to get a couple of league games under our belt again," said Newbigging.

"We are needing them because we've only played five games so far in the league."

Bo'ness had to wait a while to try to get a disappointing exit from the SFA Scottish Cup, losing at home to Buckie Thistle, out of their system.

But back-to-back wins in ties that were potential banana skins have done the trick and now the manager is hoping his side can go all the way in this competition.

"I think the Scottish Cup was the wee fairytale for us, if you like, and it was disappointing for all of us the way it ended," added Newbigging.

"But we feel that if we can perform as we did in the first-half today, as well as being a bit more consistent, we can go far in this cup. I don't think you have to be the best team to win the Scottish Cup, to be honest."You need a bit of luck and we do believe we can go far."

The visitors certainly had a stroke of luck with their opening goal in a contest that saw them take a 2-0 lead inside the opening 24 minutes.

As Chris McFadyen was challenged in the box, the ball broke kindly to Fraser and the former Dunfermline midfielder shot through the goalkeeper's legs.

The second goal stemmed from a flighted free-kick from Andy Shirra, which Roger Duffin headed back across goal for central defensive partner McQueen to nod home.

Nicky Walker, whose pace was a constant threat, could have added a third but dragged his shot wide.

But, while Bellshill hardly threatened in the first-half, it was a different story after the break after they had been rallied by manager Gerry Creaney, the former Celtic striker.

Selkirk was unmarked as he stooped to head home a corner from the right in the 67th minute and, all of a sudden, it was game on again.

Sean McKenna flashed a cross-cum-shot just wide before Selkirk came close to forcing a replay with a header that narrowly missed the target.

"I thought we played well in the first half and scored good goals at the right time but then we didn't turn up in the second half," said Newbigging.

"All credit to Bellshill because they rolled their sleeves up, though we thought they'd do that anyway. Fair play to them for that but we are delighted to be through to the next round.

"I can't make the artificial surface an excuse for the second-half performance as we train on a pitch like that."

McQueen, who is on loan from Hamilton, looks a useful player to have around as Bo'ness prepare to try to make up lost ground on local rivals Linlithgow in the Super League title race.

And, in players like Fraser and Walker, Newbigging certainly has individuals who are capable of making a big impact between now and the end of the season.

"Nicky is a handful with great pace. I just wish he could finish a bit better than he can, but that's life," said the manager.

"As for John, he is one of the players we rely on. He is experienced and knows how to get through games. He is a very important part of our team."

Not surprisingly, Creaney was not too downhearted by his team's performance. "I'm not disappointed," he said. I'm actually very proud of the lads. They're a new team and they performed to the standard we expect of them now.

"I'm just a bit disappointed that the first-half performance didn't work out the way we wanted. In the second-half I thought we were the better team and pushed on.

"The plan was to get the ball down and pass it. I believe the game should be played the right way and you can't give a team like Bo'ness a two-goal start because it's a big ask after that."

Bellshill Athletic: Calder, Hall, Malloy, Smith, Bennett, Grady, Crozier, Flynn, McKenna, Cairney, Dolan. Subs: Cavanagh, Slack, Selkirk, Connelly.

Bo'ness United: Longmuir, Snowden, Hunterm, Duffin, McQueen, Fraser, Ballantyne, Shirra, McFadyen, Walker, Donnelly. Subs: Anson, Donald, Forrest, Shields, Ure, Young.

Referee: G Aitken.

Bellshill Athletic 1

Bo'ness United 2