Lerwick Spurs bowed out of the Highland Amateur Cup with a 2-1 defeat to Inverness & District side Maryburgh at Market Green, Stromness. Kyle Taylor had the mainland team ahead before Lewis Harkness converted a penalty late in the first half to level the tie, but Maryburgh found a late winner through Finlay MacDonald to book their spot in the quarterfinals.

Both sides came into the game unbeaten in their respective divisions, and it was a cagey affair during the early moments in Orkney. Maryburgh had an early chance with a freekick on the edge of the Spurs box, but Paul Grant collected with ease. The away side continued to look brighter and found a breakthrough at the half hour mark. Sean McAllister crossed in an inviting ball for Taylor to flick goalwards with a diving header, with the ball just sneaking past Grant and into the bottom corner.

Spurs took control after falling behind and threatened Maryburgh with a slew of corners. Andrew Flett’s back post effort looked destined to go in, but Maryburgh keeper Ryan Ross made a great save to retain the lead. With half time looming Sam Maver was unleashed beyond the Maryburgh defence and Ross had to gamble. The resulting challenge gave referee Bruce Simpson no choice but to point towards the spot, and Harkness duly dispatched his effort into the top corner to restore parity on the stroke of half time.

Into the second half and Spurs were struggling with Maryburgh’s intensity. Davy MacDonald tried to inject some life into his injury-thwarted team with the introduction of Joe Goodlad and Zak Carroll, but it would be Maryburgh who found the winner with 15 to play. Finlay MacDonald found space on the left before cutting in and drilling his effort goalwards, which took a deflection off Haydn Jamieson and beyond Grant. Spurs pushed on, looking for a way to send the tie to extra time but Maryburgh defended resolutely and earned their spot in the final eight where they will face High Ormlie Hotspurs in Thurso.