Ten-man Thistle show more hunger to edge cup thriller

Lothian THISTLE and Tynecastle served up a seven-goal thriller in atrocious conditions at Saughton Enclosure with Lothian edging a 4-3 victory in this King Cup first round tie.

Omar Ali, Lothian's recent signing, proved to be a handful for the Tynecastle defence and gave the home side the lead. Then Conan McDiarmid increased their advantage from the penalty spot. On the stroke of half-time Tynecastle fought themselves back into contention when Wayne McIntosh headed home a Darren Aird cross.

John Williams equalised for Tynecastle on the hour mark but within 60 seconds Craig Stewart regained Lothian's lead with a stunning 30-yard shot. However, an equally superb finish by McIntosh brought the teams level once more before Stewart sealed Lothian's place in the second round with a 25-yard strike that nestled behind John Gilbertson.

Lothian's Jim Young was sent off with 15 minutes remaining for his second yellow card offence but Tynecastle could not find a way through.

Fraser Ogilvie, Lothian's joint manager, said: "Our players answered the questions on commitment, belief and work rate in a performance which was nothing short of magnificent. Some of our young players are becoming men and I'm delighted for all of them."

Murray Balloch, the Tynecastle manager, said: "It was one of these nights when the hungrier team and the one that wanted a win the most won. Lothian adapted better to the conditions."

Lothian Thistle: Swain, Wallace, D. McAleavy, Young, McDiarmid, C. McAleavy, Stewart, Kelly, Ali, McDonagh, Kerr. Subs: Butler, Paterson, Dignan.

Tynecastle: Gilbertson, Aird, O'Hara, Thom, Williams, Thomson, Arthur, Elliot, Devlin, McIntosh, McCormack. Subs: Young, Mearns, Dunn, Sproule, McMullen.