TNS reached the semi-finals of the SPFL Trust Trophy for the third time following a 4-1 victory against Scottish Championship side Arbroath on Saturday.
Craig Harrison’s side had to come from behind following Jay Bird’s ninth minute goal but a Brad Young brace and strikes from Ben Clark and Adrian Cieslewicz ensured an afternoon to remember.
Falkirk now await the JD Cymru Premier champions with the semi-final due to be played at the Falkirk Stadium on the weekend of February 3/4th 2024.
It was Arbroath who almost broke the deadlock with four minutes played but a great save from Connor Roberts denied Michael McKenna down at the near post.
Moments later Roberts was called into action again to deny Jay Bird with a strong right hand.
The visitors dominated and Bird made no mistake at the second time of asking as he fired his side into a ninth minute lead following a mazy run into the penalty area.
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Falling behind proved to be a wake-up call for the Saints and they began to grow into the game as the half wore on and levelled after 27 minutes.
Following a spell of possession, a deft back heel from Young set Clark on his way into the penalty area to slot the ball beneath the outrushing Derek Gaston.
Harrison’s side flipped the match completely on its head 10 minutes later as Young sent an effort into the far corner after beating the covering defender inside the penalty area.
Moments late, Jordan Williams slammed a left-footed effort against the crossbar as the Saints closed the first-half on a high.
Picking up where they left off following the restart, Ryan Astles called Gaston into action with a powerful header following a corner.
Leo Smith fired wide before Kenan Dunnwald-Turan had a good chance to bring the Smokies level from the edge of the box around the hour.
The visitors were looking dangerous as the game reached its latter stages but 10 minutes from time the Saints gave themselves a comfortable cushion thanks to substitute Adrian Cieslewicz.
Ryan Brobbel picked out Cieslewicz on the edge of the penalty area to fire beyond the stunned Arbroath goalkeeper.
The match was put to bed in the 85th minute when Young added a second of the afternoon after great work from Jordan Williams.
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