Wishaw boss David Dunn says his players have shown they are capable of mixing it with anyone after a dramatic Kilmarnock Pie West of Scotland Football League Cup win over Beith Juniors.
The Conference C side were heavy underdogs against Premier Division opposition due to the three-tier gap. But the Beltane Park outfit were 2-1 victors in Ayrshire.
Scott Nicol scored either side of half-time to secure a shock victory and his winner came via a stoppage time penalty, sparking wild scenes in the travelling camp.
Jordan Hart had to make numerous saves in the game and the Wishy goalkeeper denied Beith’s Conner McGlinchey from the penalty spot after he had netted in first half proceedings.
Dunn said: “I didn’t sleep much on Saturday! It’s an unbelievable achievement from the club. My throat was gone after it as you would expect.
“The boys were unbelievable. It’s a performance I was so proud of standing on the side and a result I think we deserved in the end.
“They are a few divisions above us and they are a top side. Not a lot of folk gave us a lot of hope and we just need to start getting our belief onto the park as we have good players. It’s starting to show.”
If that wasn’t enough drama, Wishaw made three new signings prior to the game as they built upon recent back-to-back league wins over Vale of Leven and Vale of Clyde.
Sam Ghoul had arrived in midfield on loan from Rossvale while ex-Petershill Park midfielder Dom Febers arrived alongside former Kirkintilloch Rob Roy forward Ciaran Reilly.
But Ghoul was sent off towards the end in a feisty clash after Wishaw’s penalty award alongside hero Nicol.
Beith also had players sent off as tensions flared.
Reilly meanwhile was unavailable after a hitch with paperwork after his signing.
Dunn added: “We signed wee Sam and he got sent off! The end of the game got a bit feisty.
“We got the penalty in the last minute and a few of their players proceeded to kick the penalty spot up.
“There was a mini-scuffle so it took a few minutes for the penalty to get hit.
“Then Sam makes a bad tackle on the halfway line.
“After that it was handbags and a big melee, then Scott Nicol got sent off, and I think they got a couple sent off too.
“It was definitely an eventful end to the game!”
Wishaw return to action this weekend in Conference C against Kilsyth Rangers.
Dunn’s side are currently seventh in the table and could go level on points with their sixth-place rivals with a victory.
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