EAST Kilbride will be defending their Lowland League title after failing to reach the pyramid play-off final.

Stuart Malcolm’s team were beaten 3-0 in the second-leg at Highland champions Cove Rangers – crashing out 5-1 on aggregate.

Malcolm said: “It has been a step too far for us.”

BSC Glasgow striker Thomas Orr celebrated signing a new contract this week with a hat-trick against Gala Fairydean Rovers.

The 22-year-old’s goals earned Stephen Swift’s team a place in the semi-finals of the Lowland League Cup.

Orr said: “I’ve been on the bench for the last couple of games so it was good to start and even better to get the goals.

“When you’re a striker you want to get the ball in the back of the net.

“We were disappointed to finish second in the league this season and it would be good to end on a high by getting to the Lowland League Cup final.”

Ruari Paton netted Gala’s consolation at Netherdale.

East Stirlingshire came from behind with only 10 men to beat Cumbernauld Colts.

Fraser Team fired the home team in front at Broadwood inside the opening minute.

Worse was to follow for Shire with Dany Ashe being red-carded on the half hour.

But late strikes from Andy Rodgers and Ross Allum earned Derek Ure’s team a place in the semi-finals.

Blair Atkinson and Scott Maxwell both bagged braces as Spartans beat Edinburgh University 4-0 in the quarter final at Ainslie Park.

Stirling University cruised past Edusport Academy at Forthbank on Sunday to also reach the semi-finals.

Kieron Hall, Angus Mailer, Blair Lyons and Craig Brown all scored for the home team.