Spartans set up Gretna tie

SPARTANS will meet Gretna 2008 in the final of the SFA South Region Challenge Cup at Tynecastle next month after both clubs recorded semi-final wins.

Spartans scored in the first minute against Stirling University when Omar Kader struck from the edge of the penalty box. Michael Pentland deservedly equalised for the students before, midway through the second half, Ross Archibald pounced on his own rebound to net.

Gretna 2008 trailed 2-1 at half-time to Whitehill Welfare but four second-half goals earned them a 5-2 win. Dean Rea put Gretna ahead before Steven McCormack and Ross Allum edged Whitehill in front although McCormack was sent off in the first-half. Rea, with his second, Ian Cummersky (2) and Tony Nicholson were also on the score sheet.

In the Central Taxis Premier Division, Edinburgh City and Preston Athletic shared the points in a 1-1 draw.