CUMNOCK Juniors boss Stephen Swift says the overwhelming feeling was "relief" after his side progressed into the first round of the Scottish Cup.

The Townhead Park club progressed from their second preliminary match on Saturday, August 31, after a hard-fought 3-1 win away to South of Scotland League side Creetown. 

The result earned Swift's side a trip to Highland League high flyers Brora Rangers in the first round proper at the end of this month.

Saturday's match at Castle Cary Park was one which, on paper, many expected to be a straightforward one for the Nock.

However, a first 45 minutes punctuated by mistakes and missed opportunities left the home side 1-0 up thanks to Dean Fyfe's goal when the half-time whistle blew.

But an early second half red card for Tyler Rennie helped shift momentum in Cumnock's favour; Thomas Orr dragged Swift's men level before Josh Jack gave the East Ayrshire outfit the lead with five minutes remaining.

The hosts conceded a penalty five minutes from time, with the defender responsible being shown a red card, and Dylan Dykes converted from the spot to complete Cumnock's win.

A sizeable travelling support headed to Newton Stewart for Saturday's match. (Image: Cumnock Juniors FC)

Swift cut a frustrated figure following the match, but he praised Creetown for making the contest difficult.

He said: “Credit to them, they set up well and we made a really bad mistake that led to their goal. It was probably their only shot on goal the whole match.

“The first half we should have been out of sight but we missed our chances. It was a bit of a freakish half in terms of how many chances we missed.

“With us gifting them that goal it made it an uphill struggle. We started snatching at things and going more direct.

"That’s what happens when you make mistakes and don’t take your chances.”

The Cumnock boss found few positives to take from the game, with the exception of securing progress to the next round.

Swift added: “Ultimately, the goal at the start of the game was getting into the next round – and we are there.

“As a manager you always looking at how you can improve, and we will look for that, but the most important thing was getting through the game.

“It was relief. When you’re not playing well then you can’t take much from it.”

Swift, who knocked Cumnock out of the competition with Broomhill last season, will be hoping for better from his side when they head north to Dudgeon Park on the weekend of September 28 for what the manager admits was just about the toughest tie they could have been given.

“We were looking forward to the draw," he said, "but it hasn’t been kind to us at all.

“If you’re looking at who is in the Scottish Cup at this time, the two best teams are probably East Kilbride and Brora Rangers.

“Logistically, it’s probably the worst one you could get, other than Wick Academy.

“It’s not been kind to us at all, there’s no doubt about that, but we’ve just got to get ready."

It means back-to-back long away days for Nock's players and supporters, with the Brora tie coming just a week after the Townhead Park side travel to Bridge of Don to face Hermes in the Scottish Junior Cup.

Cumnock battled back from a goal down to see off Creetown 3-1. (Image: Cumnock Juniors FC)

And while he knows the Brora game will be the ultimate test for his side, Swift is confident his side will be well placed to take on the challenge.

He added: “There won’t be a bigger test, in terms of who is in the draw at this stage, but I’m absolutely delighted with how we have recruited.

"Where our squad is at in terms of fitness and people coming back from injury, I think we could be doing with a couple more training sessions.

“I think there’s still a lot to come from the group, we are still working towards that.

“I’m not thinking we are there at this time. We need to keep working hard and believe in the process, then I think we will be in a real good place.”