SHAUN LAIRD’S penalty secured Rhu Amateurs’ place in the second round of the Scottish Cup courtesy of a 2-1 win at home to GSC Jordanhill on Saturday.

Following a 3-3 draw in the first game in Glasgow seven days earlier, both teams had reason to fancy their chances of progressing to the next round.

And it was Rhu who started the better at Ardenconnel, pegging the visitors back in the early stages and taking the lead when a Stillwell free kick was superbly headed home by Burns.

The early advantage spurred Rhu on in search of a second, but the visitors levelled when the home defence failed to deal properly with a corner and the ball fell kindly to Jude Wilson, who found the bottom corner of the net.

The game was fairly open now, but neither team was able to create more than a handful of half-chances, which the keepers at either end were able to deal with easily, leaving the teams pegged at 1-1 at the interval.

Rhu knew they needed to up their game in the second half – and a couple of tactical tweaks gave the hosts more options and led to what would turn out to be the winner.

Top scorer Adam Sharkey came in from the right and pounced on a loose ball, only to be sent tumbling in the box – and when the referee pointed to the spot it was Laird who smashed home to put Rhu back in front.

And the hosts held on for the win – though only a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Burke denied Jordanhill what looked like a certain second equaliser late on, earning Rhu an away tie against Irvine Meadow Amateurs in the second round.

Team: Brown, Maule, Connoly, McVey, Stillwell, Scullion, Laird, A. Sharkey, Burke, Burns, K. Sharkey. Subs: McCaughey, McElroy, Gorman, Milne.