Abbey Vale progressed in the South of Scotland Challenge Cup after seeing off Upper Annandale in an eight goal thriller.
Aiden Kerr gave Vale the lead after just three minutes before the home side equalised.
The goals really started to flow in the second half, Dan Thom putting Vale back in front only for Uppers to level things up.
Sub Phil Middlemiss restored Vale’s lead but Uppers hit back once more.
A Lewis McKenna penalty gave Vale the lead for the fourth time and on this occasion Uppers couldn’t respond, an own goal sealing progress for the visitors.
Vale co-manager, Allan Clark, said: “We never really got going. It was a bumpy, bumpy pitch, which didn’t suit us.
“Darren Kerr said at half-time we needed a wee bit more urgency but we never really got going in the second half either.
“I think their first goal was a fair bit offside and for the third, I don’t think he’ll hit another one like that.
“Once you’re ahead, you want to stay ahead – we didn’t play badly, we just never got going.
“We made a few changes.
“Anyone in the squad is capable of starting but when you’re changing your team around, it does disrupt the way you play.
“It was pleasing to get through and that’s all that matters.”
After a few weeks of cup action, Vale resume their South of Scotland League title charge this weekend when they go to Wigtown and Bladnoch.
And they’ll be up against a side that lost 18-0 to Mid Annandale on Saturday after making the trip with just eight players.
Clark said: “It’ll not be the same as they’ll have players.
“They’ll have been scrambling for 24 hours to get players and have late call-offs, but your only other option is not to turn up and that doesn’t look good either.
“They seem to be a different team at Wigtown.
“We’re looking forward to getting back to a league game and getting three points as we’ve fallen down to fourth.”
