St Patrick’s emerged victorious from a hard fought derby battle in front of more than 500 fans, to secure their place in the last 16 of the West of Scotland Cup.
As you would expect from a local derby there were plenty of incidents and meaty challenges throughout a tense and dramatic game.
The Saints had plenty of possession but could not get into a rhythm with the game constantly being stopped by niggling challenges.
St Patrick’s had a great chance to take the lead after 20 minutes when Doherty put a pinpoint cross into Lobban whose header was expertly touched over the bar by Accies’ keeper Tiropoulos.
The game then developed into a dour battle which produced a flurry of yellow cards before Saints took the lead with 30 minutes on the clock.
Doherty swung over a dangerous corner which the visitors could only clear to the edge of the box and the waiting Liam Rowan, who smashed a wonderful shot into the roof of the net, giving Tiropoulos no chance.
Their lead lasted only four minutes.
Accies were awarded a free kick in the middle of the park and skipper Jack Buchanan flighted a fine cross to the far edge of the six-yard box onto the head of the unmarked Jack Halley, who netted with ease.
In the 40th minute Saints were inches away from regaining the lead when Ciaran McElroy fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal onto the onrushing Kevin McElroy, but his shot rattled the bar before being cleared by Kenny Wilson.
The derby flashpoint then came in the 43rd minute when goalscorer Halley was given a straight red card for a bad challenge on McColl.
With the visitors now a man down they set out their stall to frustrate Saints and try and hit them on the break.
The second-half produced very few chances with the visitors sitting in and Saints not firing on all cylinders.
However, despite this, the home side did create a couple of decent opportunities.
First in the 65th minute the excellent Parfitt went on a fine run down the right flank before sending over a great cross to his fellow substitute Cavan, who had a fresh air shot before the ball arrived at Ciaran McElroy who shot wildly over.
Saints then came close again when Jon Gray headed Rowan’s free kick over the bar.
As the game entered the last 10 minutes Saints pushed hard for the clincher, but Tiropoulos made two good saves from Cavan and Wallace.
Then, on 85 minutes, Accies passed up a great chance to steal the match.
Connor McGlinchey delivered a dangerous cross into the box where Kenny Wilson was unmarked six yards out.
However he got his attempted header wrong and the ball flew over Gallacher’s bar in what was a lucky escape for Saints.
With the clock ticking towards the 90th minute, and the crowd preparing for penalties, Accies were reduced to nine men when Degg received a second yellow card for a late tackle on Cavan.
The game then went into seven minutes of injury time, and two minutes into that the Saints finally broke Accies’ resolve.
Liam Rowan delivered a superb free kick into a crowded box where Jon Gray rose majestically and flicked the ball into the corner of the net beyond the grasping hands of Tiropoulos.
That was the cue for wild scenes of celebration amongst the Saints supporters and, in the last minute of time added on, they would be celebrating again.
The visitors got a free kick on the halfway line and they pushed everyone forward, including keeper Tiropoulos.
However the free kick was charged down by Cavan and the ball broke to Ciaran McElroy who slipped an easy pass to the advancing McColl and he strode upfield before rolling the ball into the empty net.
Saints boss John O’Brien said: “It was a tough match. We are really happy that we sent our fans home with a smile on their face and the local bragging rights.”
Gutted Accies boss Michael Dickie said: “Whilst I am obviously disappointed with the result, I am very proud of the application that my players showed throughout the match.
“The reaction to going behind in the first half was pleasing, and to play over an hour with 10 men against a team of St Pat’s calibre and take it to injury time speaks volumes for the attitude of my players.
“They didn’t deserve the outcome at all.
“We now turn our attention to this Saturday’s game against Westerlands in the Douglas Smith League Cup.
“This fixture will provide its own challenges, so we need to move on quickly.”
