MUSSELBURGH Athletic manager Liam Burns has hailed his side’s battling spirit after his 10-man team came from behind to keep their Scottish Cup dreams alive.

The Olivebank outfit trailed to Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL) leaders Caledonian Braves at the interval in the second round tie on Saturday.

And their chances of progressing suffered another blow when Andy Dempster was shown a red card just two minutes after the restart.

However, two Jackson Barker efforts helped Musselburgh through to set up a tie with Bo’ness United.

Musselburgh Athletic enjoyed an impressive win over Caledonian BravesMusselburgh Athletic enjoyed an impressive win over Caledonian Braves

Burns spoke of his pride in the team and said: “I’m as optimistic as anybody but, at 1-0 down and a red card, you are thinking the worst.

“We needed to find a goal from somewhere but I still did not think the game was done. I was hopeful of getting a goal but the immediate thought was we have got the whole of extra time playing with 10 men.

“It was going to be difficult keeping a good side at bay having less players but I was thankful to be wrong.

“To be honest, it is the best 10-man performance I have ever seen.

“Not just being part of it but just watching football as well; it is the best I have seen with 10 men.

“We scored two goals and I think they had a shot on target.”

Motherwell-based Braves are flying high at the top of Scottish football’s fifth tier and came into the cup contest with an undefeated record from their opening 14 league encounters.

Burns felt that his side had held their own in the first half but it was the visitors who led through Ryan Murray’s opener.

Musselburgh Athletic enjoyed an impressive win over Caledonian BravesMusselburgh Athletic enjoyed an impressive win over Caledonian Braves

Burgh had it all to do over the second 45 minutes to keep East Lothian’s interest in the competition alive – and reach the third round for the first time in their history.

Barker, who has been restricted to mainly substitute appearances this term, proved the hero with an equaliser and then the winner.

Burns confirmed that the club were considering appealing Dempster’s dismissal, which, if successful, would make him available for the next round.

The draw for the third round, which brings in clubs from League One and the Championship, took place on Sunday evening and paired Burgh with another Lowland League club, Bo’ness United.

The manager was content with the draw, which sees Musselburgh flying the flag as the only East of Scotland Football League club left in the competition.

 

 

The next hurdle comes on the weekend of November 30 as the club tries to reach the fourth round and potentially a meeting with a Premiership side.

And they will get a dress rehearsal of their Scottish Cup clash with Bo’ness when the two sides meet in the South of Scotland Challenge Cup a fortnight before locking horns in the national competition.

Burns said: “They are obviously a good side, up the top end of the Lowland League.

“It is not naïve to think they would prefer us at their home pitch but you look at the teams they could have got, they would have taken Musselburgh before the draw was made. It could have been Falkirk, Livingston or Dunfermline.

“We are the league below but we have a very good record against the Lowland League over the last two years and doing very, very well.

“We just beat Caledonian Braves but a lot can change between now and when we play them.

“We play them in a different cup two weeks beforehand, which is a little bit strange!”