Edinburgh City Reds broke Earlston Rhymers resistance with nine minutes to play in their Division 2 League Cup contest. The hosts' 1-0 victory, in a match they controlled but struggled to find shots, was deserved but not easy on a cold Edinburgh day.

The game began with a curious misunderstanding in the fourth minute. Ryan Ironside’s deflected right wing cross looped over Rhymers keeper Finlay Dodds, struck the back post, bounced perilously close to in and ended back within Dodds’ hands. Amidst claims the ball had crossed the line, it appeared a goal had been given and Reds began to celebrate. Yet something was amiss. The signal, the referee stated, had been play on. It was a big call, under pressure, but the correct decision.

After that mini-drama, the game hit a steady rhythm of Reds in possession and Rhymers looking out of sorts. Finlay Purdie was the pick of midfield, but efforts at goal were scarce and seldom on target. When Purdie had to be removed for a worrying issue after 25 minutes - he was treated on the sideline beneath coats for substantial time, but eventually left the ground on his own feet - the spark and impetus became subdued.

Reds continued to manage the game, and one free kick drew a good save by Dodds, but by half time only two of the half dozen shots had been worthy of saves, and none had been by Earlston. Unsurprisingly, the game was goalless.

The second half had more vigour. Reds started strongly, with a shot by Ironside, header from Aaron Burns, and then Ironside again all looking promising. Equally importantly, Rhymers had shaken off their malaise, and in the 55th minute Robbie Paulin had their first true effort. A minute later, they could have been leading: Cuilen Sampson volleyed Jack Bell’s long cross across goal and inches wide.

Yet, as the game matured, so emerged its greatest influence: Sam Lewis. On the hour mark it was he who hit the pass of the game, dropping a deep ball behind the left back and onto the foot of Liam Docherty. Docherty, taking himself a little wide, aimed across the keeper but Dodds dived well.

Three minutes later, a kick by Reds keeper was taken down unchallenged by Nathan Thompson. He, in turn, played the ball right to Ironside, whose shot for the top corner was not far off. This was swiftly followed by captain Jason Howie causing a scramble with a header from a corner, and Lewis teeing up Thomas Jamieson for a try from the edge of the box. Dodds was getting busier.

After another Reds effort, this time from Matthew McDonald, went just wide, Rhymers responded with a shot of electricity. Awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal in the 75th minute, Lewis Anderson hit for the bottom right corner. Keeper Daniel Kleinjman touched the ball onto the post, then had to swiftly stand up to get his chest in the way of Paulin’s rebound. It was superb goalkeeping.

It was goalkeeping that his teammates rewarded with a big final push, led by the calm skills of Lewis. He himself should have scored when put one-on-one by Thomson’s cute ball, but rolled past the right post. However, in the 81st minute he made amends. Wrong-footing his defender on the left side of the box, he headed towards the by-line and then fired across. This was too hot for Dodds to claim, and amongst those reaching for the rebound was Howie. Reds had their goal, and the win.