With the second half underway and Giffnock attacking the end where their 'ultras' were housed, they should have doubled their lead three minutes after the restart. A lack of communication between Capes and Wright led to the goalkeeper rolling the ball out to his centre back when he had his back turned however the Giffnock forwards could not capitalise.

 

A long clearance from Wright was flicked on well by McMillan to set Walsh away once more however his first time effort flashed across the goal and harmlessly out for a Giffnock goal kick.

 

Just moments later and Longniddry have their best chance of the match so far. A deep corner in from the far side passes over all of the Giffnock defence as the outstretched figure of Wright comes flying in but he cannot direct his header and he powers it over the crossbar into the stand behind.

 

The pressure begins to grow from Longniddry and as they are seeing plenty of the ball Walsh finds himself galloping down the right wing yet again. Tearing away from the fullback once more he hits the by line with two team mates in the centre for what seems a tap in and certain goal. However Giffnock number one Colin Thomas had other ideas. With the low cross fizzed along the wet surface it was on a plate to be tapped home however the most crucial of touches from the goalkeepers glove played the ball directly through the middle of the two expectant Villa forwards and out of harms way to keep his side in front. 

 

Just a minute later and Longniddry come close again, this time through Nathan Muir. A superb low cross by Euan Donaldson was met at the front post by Muir and his clever deft flick went narrowly over the Giffnock crossbar.

 

Giffnock went in search of a second through James Dolan when his slaloming run led him through a crowd of Villa defenders but he could only find the side netting with his left footed effort.

 

With time slipping away from Longniddry and only five minutes remaining on the clock, Villa players flood forward in numbers with Walsh leading the charge. He hits the byline once more and again pulls the ball back across the six yard box but Hamish Tait couldn't direct his attempt and it went wide of the far post much to the joy of the Giffnock singing section.

 

With holes appearing in the Longniddry defence as they went in search of an equaliser, Giffnock began to fashion chances of their own to kill the game off. Dolan found himself on the left hand side of the box with just one defender in his way, a quick drop of the shoulder later and he had created the room for a pop at goal however his powerful effort drifted narrowly wide.

 

In the dying moments as Longniddry tried to force the issue Giffnock delivered a fatal blow to the holders that would settle the tie. A great advantage from referee Andy Arrol allowed a free flowing Giffnock counter attack to continue after a foul on the halfway line had threatened to halt their attack. Ben Macfarlane was set free down the left where he drove past the band of ultras and in to the Villa box with purpose before cooly slotting the ball home past a helpless Sam Capes. 

 

A cruel blow for Longniddry Villa who had given their all to get back in the game but just could not break down this stubborn and resolute Giffnock side who had got their second half tactics spot on.