JUST a couple of weeks ago, few pundits gave Rangers much chance of going through to the knock-out stage of this competition, but with this result against red-hot favourites, Rob-Roy, and aided by results elsewhere, they have made it and qualify for a visit to Arthurlie for the quarter final a week on Wednesday (August 26).

The steady improvement seen in recent games continues, and although this was very much a team effort, mention must be made of the outstanding contributions from Greg McDonald and young Tony Martin with Daly, McGinty and Thompson also having a good match.

It was a great start by Rangers with the first chance coming in only three minutes from a corner, Mcdonald just failing to get his head to a tempting ball. They kept the pressure on when Martin burst through but had his shot blocked, then Thompson got a header which landed on the top of the bar, then McPeake had a shot cleared off the line.

Roy were rocking at this stage and with just a little luck Rangers could have been two or three up after twenty minutes. Inevitably though Rob-Roy began to force their way back into the game and Anderson made a good run down the wing, passing to Docherty whose shot was well over the bar. A couple of minutes later though and they had better luck when Docherty rounded Dukes and shot into an empty net to give them a somewhat undeserved lead. It was a more even game now and although Rangers tried hard to recapture their early dominance it was still one up for the home side come the interval.

Again Rangers went all out from the restart and before long they had their reward; a good ball over from the right saw Michael DALY meet it at the far post and his header brought the scores level. Word had been received that Dunipace were ahead of Cumbernauld and if the positions remained that way Rangers would go through from the Section.

John Richardson immediately made changes to his line-up, bringing on two strikers, Broadfoot and ex-Ranger McQuilken, but Rangers defence continued to hold firm. there was a controversial incident when a Rob- Roy player went down in the Kilsyth penalty area and the referee initially gave a penalty and showed a yellow card to the defender.

There was an immedite protest against the decision as the Rob-Roy player had appeared to be in an offside position prior to the incident and after consultation with his linesman the referee reversed his decision. A great let-off for Rangers.

As time wore on Roy were becoming increasingly desperate and made a final substitution to no great avail and Rangers made their only change when Martin went off to a round of applause from the Kilsyth support with just ten minutes remaining. The home side had one last effort with a shot which went into the side net, but by now they seemed to have lost heart and the final whistle came with Rangers finishing on top.

The ghosts of last seasons poor performances have now been well and truly laid to rest and fans can look forward to the league campaign, beginning at Kilwinning this Saturday with much more confidence.

KILSYTH: Dukes, Meechan, Carr, Doyle, McDonald, McGinty, Vallentine, McPeake, Thompson, Martin, Daly. Subs. Gallacher, McLuskie, Upton, Dalrymple, Stevenson.

ROB-ROY: Nugent, Carter, Morrison, McDonald, Lennox, Deas, Jones, Gentile, Craig, Docherty, Anderson. Subs. Carberry, McCrone, Broadfoot, Chang.

Game next Saturday, away to Kilwinning Rangers, Kick-off 2pm