Scottish Challenge Trophy, fourth round

TNS 2 East Fife 2

(TNS won 5-4 on penalties)

The New Saints reached the quarter-finals of the SPFL Trust Trophy after overcoming the challenge of East Fife on penalties at Park Hall on Saturday evening.

Goalkeeper Connor Roberts was the hero with his penalty to deny Kieran Marshall and earn the Oswestry side a place in the last eight.

The Saints threatened early with Leo Smith denied by the woodwork before Danny Redmond fired wide from distance and Jordan Williams was denied by Fife goalkeeper Allan Fleming.

Border Counties Advertizer: Action from TNS' victory over East Fife.Action from TNS' victory over East Fife. Picture by Brian Jones.

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Border Counties Advertizer: Action from TNS' victory over East Fife.Action from TNS' victory over East Fife. Picture by Brian Jones.

It was no surprise when the hosts led after 14 minutes with Brad Young following up to net after Fleming spilled Ryan Brobbel's shot.

The Scottish side gradually imposed themselves on the tie and were back in the game on 35 minutes with Alan Trouten netting at the second attempt after he was denied from the spot by Roberts after a foul on Nathan Austin.

Both sides had chances at the start of the second-half with Brobbel curling wide before Scott Shepherd went close at the other end.

Border Counties Advertizer: Action from TNS' victory over East Fife.Action from TNS' victory over East Fife. Picture by Brian Jones.

The visitors led midway through the second-half with Connor McManus hammering home a loose ball after Roberts could only parry Austin's effort.

It was the Saints who were awarded a penalty with 14 minutes remaining with Brobbel slotting home after a handball.

The Saints held their nerve in the resulting shoot-out and Roberts' save to deny Marshall sealed a quarter-final date for the first time since 2018.

TNS: Roberts, Daniels (Baker 90), Hudson, Davies, Marriott, Smith (D Williams 59), Redmond (Holden 59), Clark (Routledge 90), Brobbel, Young, J Williams (Cieslewicz 67). Subs: T Jones, Brennan, Thompson, Dafydd

East Fife: Fleming, Comerford (Docherty 45), Page, Easton, Newton, Millar, McManus, Trouten, Healy (Nicol 77), Austin (Walls 78), Shepherd (Hambrook 85). Subs: Schiavone, Beverage.