PEEBLES hopes of progressing through to the next round of the Challenge Cup this year were ended after succumbing to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Spartans at Whitestone Park in the first round last weekend.

Peebles went into this cup match off the back of a 3-2 defeat away to Tynecastle in the league; so they must have been desperate to get back to winning ways and pull off a cup upset against the Lowland League side.

The first ten minutes was a nervous spell for both teams as Peebles and Spartans battled for control of the match in an end to end contest which forced both defences to be on their guard.

However, Peebles soon got a grip of the game and enjoyed large spells of possession throughout the first half with Brendan Edwards orchestrating the attack from midfield with some lovely passing play.

Spartans were not without their moments though and Peebles’ goalkeeper, Darren Walker, was occasionally called upon to keep the Edinburgh side out. Although, with the home team dominating for large parts of the first half, Spartans ended up looking like a humble Fiat struggling to keep up with a Porsche.

But, the second half was a different story altogether with Spartans trading in that humble Fiat for a Lamborghini.

They looked like a team reborn and promptly hit Peebles with everything they had.

Spartans frequently invaded Peebles’ half and were eventually rewarded with the first goal of the match after Robbie Ross headed it in from a cross to put them in front.

Peebles did retaliate and perhaps may have got an equaliser if Donovan Ndiweni’s shot at goal in the 52nd minute hadn’t gone wide.

Peebles fought valiantly to get back into the game but couldn’t quite find that goal to put them level.

And more misery was soon to follow, Spartans getting their second goal after some pinball in the box ended with Ewan Saunderson putting in another header past Darren Walker.

Spartans may have gotten another goal, but, a solid defence was able to keep them out, with Daniel McAleavy and Dale Richardson putting in some good tackles.

However, Peebles seemed to be running on fumes at this stage and simply couldn’t find the goals despite an impressive performance while Spartans ended up taking the spoils from a frustrating afternoon for John O’Hara’s men.

O’Hara said: “Our guys are absolutely gutted about the result.

“Spartans are a quality side who came here and were very professional but we pushed them close.

“It doesn’t matter who we play, whether it is Spartans or Eyemouth, we will have a go but we just couldn’t take our chances today.”

Peebles: D. Walker, L. Zavaroni, D. McAleavy, J. Young, D. Richardson, C. McAleavy, C. Flockhart, J. Darling, P. Murray, B. Edwards, D. Ndiweni