Threave Rovers came from behind to beat Abbey Vale on Saturday.
Former Threave man Dan Thom headed Vale in front in the first half but Phil Middlemiss levelled things up before the break.
Dan Carmichael then put Threave in front before doubling the advantage when he slotted home after the Vale keeper failed to hold Scott Milligan’s free-kick.
Threave gaffer Vinnie Parker said: “I thought we were decent – we created chances and could maybe have been more clinical in front of goal but the goals we did score were all excellent finishes.
“I thought their goal was completely against the run of play. It was a floated free-kick into the box we didn’t deal with but we responded well.
“I’m always highly critical of referees, especially at our level, but I thought Jason Brown had an excellent game considering there were lots of decent challenges – in the proper fashion.
“I thought he handled it brilliantly, especially as he was there on his own with no linesman.
“That’s the difference when you get a referee who has played the game before.
“He was good for both teams – we lost a goal from a free-kick and picked up a booking but I thought he was really good.”
Threave still trail South of Scotland League leaders St Cuthbert Wanderers with just five games left, meaning the cups look like their best chance of claiming some silverware before the end of the season.
And their trophy hunt takes them to Wigtown this weekend for a League Cup clash.
Parker said: “We’re still a work in progress. At the start of the season we had maybe put too many demands on what was quite a young team. You can see them gelling more towards the end of the season so hopefully we’ve timed it right to get to a couple of finals.
“Hopefully we’ll have one or two more players back from injuries. Ross Thomson got 10 or 15 minutes on Saturday so hopefully we can get him more game time this weekend.
“Tom Coles picked up a cracked rib away to Uppers and has been a big miss. He might be another few weeks away yet.”
