Last eight place for St Mirren Under-20s

Dec 18 2012 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

St Mirren’s youth chief David Longwell has hailed his Under-20 side for booking a place in the last eight of the SFA Youth Cup.

Longwell’s side defeated Falkirk 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after the match finished goalless.

Saints had to do it the hard way as they were reduced to 10 men when defender Jason Naismith was red-carded in extra time.

On target for St Mirren at the penalty shoot-out were Michael Fulton, Ross Meechan, Jack Smith, Thomas Reilly and Mark Williams.

Longwell said: “Going a man down and having to go through a penalty shoot-out, you have got to say that we are happy to get through to the next round.

“We are delighted to get through but, from a performance point of view, we know ourselves that we can do better.

“We haven’t played for close on a month and it showed as we looked a bit rusty.”

Saints are away to Dundee United in the next round early in the new year.

Tonight, Saints are back in league action as they play Celtic with a 7pm kick-off.