Irvine Meadow co manager Colin Spence applauded his second half substitutes as they made the difference off the bench in their 4-1 comeback win over Arbroath Victoria.

The two sides met at the weekend for the Scottish Junior Cup Second Round tie at Meadow Park, with the hosts the heavy favourites.

Despite that they found themselves 1-0 down in the first half, John Dye striking into the bottom corner from 16 yards.

It took until deep into the second half until Medda picked up an equaliser via a Mick Wardrope free kick, which bounced into the bottom left corner.

After that strike, the floodgates opened for the hosts, substitute Jared Willet putting Medda ahead minutes later with a fantastic strike into the top left corner.

Jamie Whyte’s header gave them a two goal lead before an own goal completed the scoring to see Medda into the draw for the Third Round.

Speaking to the Times, Spence said: “It was one of those games were you are starting to think that this could be the day we go out of the cup and we could be the one shock on the cards.

“Eventually, Wardrope gets a goal with 15 minutes to go and after that it was bang, bang.

“It was just a case of getting that first goal to break their hearts.

“Willet scored one and Jamie Martin came on at half time as well and was lively.

“So, the subs certainly helped swing the game back in our favour and in the end we ran out quite comfortable winners.”

Next up for Meadow is a return to league action when they host Pollok on Wednesday night.

Spence says he is expecting a tough test against the Premier Division high flyers but reckons Medda’s form against top sides so far this season should hold them in good stead.

“They have an unbelievably talented squad, so it is a game we will need to be at our very best to get a good result.

“But is also a game that suits us as we have done well against the so called ‘bigger teams’ this

season and we have competed really well.

“We have been unlucky not to beat a couple of them.”