Cumbernauld crash out of West

Two second half goals saw the Central Second Division side through as they punished Cumbernauld for missed chances in the first 45 minutes of their first round encounter.

The visitors started well and efforts from Murray Lowdon and Ross Foley threatened the home goal.

At the other end Gartcairn’s Jordan Love then had the home team’s first chance, but shot wide from a good position.

A terrific shot from Cumbernauld’s Tony Stevenson in the 13th minute almost proved unlucky for Gartcairn but keeper Bryn Halliwell brought off a magnificent save.

The game swung from end to end for a spell and Cumbernauld missed another chance on the half hour mark.

Ryan Tiffany’s cross from right found Davie Dickson’s head but the veteran United man’s effort brought out another fine stop from Halliwell.

Then United’s new signing Craig Johnston tried his luck with a long range piledriver but the experienced former Clyde keeper again came to the rescue.

There was always the chance that Cumbernauld would rue their missed opporunity .

And so it proved in the 57th minute when the Airdrie side went ahead.

Lee Pettigrew galloped up the right and crossed for Love to tuck the ball away from Connor O’Boyle in the visiting goal.

Unmited were still seeing plenty of the ball and Lowdon came near to equalising.

But it wasn’t Cumbernauld’s day and despite substitutes Billy Robb and Scott Upton coming on it was the locals who scorted a decisive second goal in the 80th minute.

Following a free-kick a Kevin Ross header found the net to ensure Gartcairn’s progress to the second round and bring a sad end to new manager George Shaw’s run of good results.