East Kilbride Advances to SPFL Trust Trophy Semi-Finals with Upset Victory Over Ayr United

Lowland League leaders East Kilbride achieved a significant upset, defeating second-tier Ayr United to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the SPFL Trust Trophy, with Cameron Elliott scoring the winning goal. While Championship sides Dunfermline Athletic and Livingston also progressed to the last four, their league rivals Ayr United were eliminated after a 3-2 loss at K Park Stadium. Striker John Robertson gave fifth-tier East Kilbride an early lead, scoring after just one minute, and midfielder Joao Balde extended their advantage with a header 11 minutes later. Midfielders Jay Henderson and Marco Rus then found the net for Ayr United with two goals midway through the second half, bringing the score level. However, striker Cameron Elliott quickly restored the lead for the home team within three minutes, marking East Kilbride’s first-ever advancement to the Scottish Challenge Cup semi-finals. In other matches, Livingston narrowly overcame their second-tier opponents Greenock Morton with a 2-1 victory. Midfielder Reece McAlear put Livingston ahead just before halftime, and striker Stevie May added their second goal three minutes before the end of normal time. A stoppage-time strike from forward Austin Samuels in reply for Morton was insufficient to deny Livingston the win. Dunfermline Athletic faced a challenging match against League 1 visitors Alloa Athletic, ultimately winning by a single goal scored by midfielder Lewis McCann in the 37th minute. The final quarter-final match, which will determine the complete lineup for the semi-finals at the end of January, is scheduled for 3 December, featuring Championship side Queen’s Park hosting Rangers B.