There was to be no repeat of last season’s high scoring win at the Recreation Ground as two first half goals saw the East of Scotland League side progress to a semi-final place against East Fife.
None of the side which had started at Airdrie took part in the match with Colin Cameron using the game to give game time to David Cowan, Joe Mbu and Mark Ramsay who are battling their way back to fitness after their various injuries while recent signing’s Zeph Thomas and Pablo Navas made their first starts for us.
Thomas had the first chance of the night for us but when trough on goal he trod on the ball and the opportunity was gone.
The home side opened the scoring after 19 minutes when Paul Wilson broke through and fired home a low shot from the edge of the box.
Four minutes later Thomas came close to levelling the score but his powerful 20 yard shot crashed off the crossbar.
However it was the visitors who were to double their advantage when Ryan Rutherford shot home 12 minutes from the interval after being set up by Hatton.
As the first half drew to a close Thomas headed wide from a Navas cross while Milne found himself through on goal but his effort was blocked by keeper Mellia.
Youngster Anthony replaced Johnston early in the second half and had two good chances within a minute firstly he saw a shot deflected for a corner, which came off the face of the crossbar, and then had another effort cleared off the line by a defender.
Hatton had a few chances for the home side while Melia pulled off a good save from Navas with Nicholson and Navas both coming close to reducing the deficit as the game closed in virtual darkness.