Preston boss Myatt plots a shock result

PRESTON ATHLETIC manager Stevie Myatt is in his ninth season in charge at the Pennypit –but the honour of leading his side in the Scottish Cup remains one to relish.

Preston face an away tie against East Stirlingshire at Ochilview on Sunday, and Myatt cannot wait.

He has already guided his team through four games against SFL opposition in recent years starting with Hamilton Academical, Gretna, Stenhousemuir and Brechin City. "All of these games hold different memories from the local Pipe Band marching across our pitch against Hamilton, then scoring two goals against Gretna – the only team to do so when they reached the final – before our first victory against Stenhousemuir.

"The Scottish Cup gives us the wee chance to search for that pot of gold which Whitehill Welfare did in 1996 when they drew Celtic in the fourth round. That drives me and hopefully my players on to put themselves in the shop window and have special memories of which they can be rightly proud.

"I get a real kick out of these games and Sunday will be no different although we are playing on an artificial surface which we have never played on before. We did play a friendly against Queen's Park at Lesser Hampden two weeks ago and that gave us a feel for a synthetic surface. More importantly, all my players enjoyed playing on it."

Preston have an experienced line-up including goalkeeper Ross Gilpin and midfield player Sean McAuley who have both played for East Stirling. Craig Manson, the former Spartans player, also has many happy memories of beating SFL teams in the past while recent signing from Spartans, Danny Noon, is in the frame after playing well in a midweek friendly.

"If we can put quality balls into the penalty box then Manson is guaranteed to score more than he will miss," said Myatt. "I have players who would still like to play in the SFL so this is an ideal opportunity for them."

Preston's only injury doubt is defender and captain Craig Scott who has a swollen ankle but is expected to be fit.

Myatt added: "The players will definitely be up for this game. All I will be asking them is to give an extra ten per cent. Every single one of them must do that for us to have any chance. We just have to take the correct mentality on to the park."