Conor O'Donnell was the stoppage-time hero as Irvine Meadow claimed a dramatic 2-1 win against Irvine Vics in last night's Marymass derby.
All three goals were scored in a barely believable action-packed last eight minutes – each followed by pitch invasions as passion spilled from the terraces.
But it was substitute O'Donnell's stunning free-kick – after a lengthy pause in play to restore calm and order – that counted as the hosts regained the Irvine Herald Trophy.
The result was a hard one to swallow for Vics who must've thought they were headed for penalties when Shane Jackson's scrambled finish quickly cancelled out Jamie Martin's 85th minute opener.
But Dougie MacDuff's men could certainly hold their heads high after proving more than a match for a Medda side ranked three divisions above them.
The Westenders were backed by a large, noisy and colourful away support who, together with a sizeable Medda young team, helped build a fantastic pre-match atmosphere in the 1,462-strong crowd.
As the teams took to the field, the skies above Meadow Park were filled with orange and blue smoke and the din of rival fans' trying to out-sing each other.
It was certainly a timely reminder to both sets of players that this annual fixture is a 'friendly' in name only.
Vics made one change from the side that recorded a 1-0 league win against Finnart on Wednesday night, with Lewis McCracken making way for James Maxwell.
The only unfamiliar face in the Meadow team was young goalkeeper Joshua Bysouth, in for unavailable No 1 Marc Waters.
The visitors started brightly but it was Meadow who registered the game's first shot on target in 11 minutes, Kieran Boubekri's effort from a tight angle forcing goalkeeper Owen McCallum into a save at his near post.
McCallum was called into action again in 22 minutes to block Ross Smith's low, driven strike with his legs before springing to his feet to claw away a follow-up cross.
Opposite number Bysouth made a similar save on the half hour mark to deny the lively Shane Jackson after a charging run into the right side of the penalty area.
The best chance of the half fell Meadow's way in 34 minutes when Smith expertly controlled a long ball and shrugged off last-man Chris Jackson on the edge of the box only for McCallum to race from his line and block his shot.
Meadow started the second half on the front foot, Boubekri forcing McCallum into an early save with a well-struck effort on the turn.
But the hosts were fortunate not to fall behind in 61 minutes when Chris Jackson's header from Declan Walsh's whipped free-kick came crashing back off the crossbar.
Twin brother Shane should have fired Vics in front 10 minutes later when he outmuscled Calum Gow in the box and nudged the ball beyond the onrushing Bysouth only to shoot into the side netting with the goal at his mercy.
The game became more stretched as the clocked ticked down with Meadow pressing and probing for an opening and Vics looking to hit on the counter attack. It felt like something would give sooner or later.
The visitors survived an almighty goalmouth stramash in 83 minutes, Medda substitute Callum Graham hooking a shot inches wide of the target as McCallum scrambled across his line.
But two minutes later Meadow got their noses in front, Jamie Martin stooping to head home Keir Milliken's cross at the back post.
A young section of home fans ran onto the park to celebrate and the Vics faithful responded in kind when Jackson levelled the scores four minutes later after another incredible penalty box melee.
In an almost comical sequence of events, Vics sub Gerry Clarke tripped over the ball in front of an open goal, recovered to block an attempted clearance, and as bemused players from both sides struggled to get their bearings, up popped Jackson with an emphatic close-range finish.
A second pitch invasion was inevitable and thankfully petered out without any violence, but referee Ryan Kennedy took the sensible decision to delay the restart to allow police and stewards to fully restore order.
There would be more drama, however after, play resumed five minutes later.
Deep into stoppage time, Meadow won a free-kick on the edge of the Vics' penalty area and O'Donnell stepped up to send a beautiful curling strike in off the post.
This time the celebrations were more muted, although a small number of fans still made it on to the park.
The sound of the full-time whistle soon after finally brought an end to an enthralling night's entertainment before Meadow were presented with the trophy.
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