THORN Athletic are preparing to gate-crash the Scottish Premier League after booking their place in the West of Scotland cup final.

Hundreds of fans turned out at Keanie Park to witness the Johnstone side topple famous Ayrshire giants Knockentiber 4-1 after a thrilling penalty shoot-out.

And now the gutsy Scottish Amateur Football League outfit are heading to SPL side Hamilton's New Douglas Park for a crack at the big time.

The team have made history reaching their first-ever national cup final and now take on either Drumchapel United or Aikenhead Thistle at the SPL ground next Monday (May 16).

Boss Paul Elliott said: "The players gave us everything they had during the game and kept their nerve in the end.

"Over the piece I thought we were the better team and everybody in the squad has played their part either on the field or off it.

"It's been difficult leaving players out because everyone wants to be involved. But everyone has a role to play now.

"It's been a fantastic cup run and I'm delighted for everyone associated with the club - the players, committee and the sponsors." Goalkeeper Liam McWilliams' fantastic double penalty saves brought the house down and sent Thorn through to the final after the sides were locked at 2-2 after 120 minutes of play.

The team had fallen behind after Dale Andrews opened the scoring early on.

But a foul on the inspirational Stuart Robertson inside the box saw the midfielder - who was subjected to some heavy tackling - dust himself down to ram home from the spot.

Just minutes later a throw-in was knocked on as far as Thorn's John Paul Taylor and he controlled it before rattling it into the net to give them the lead at half-time.

But soon after the restart, Tiber were awarded a penalty of their own which David Smith converted and the game was finely poised.

Chances came at either end as the game wore on and Thorn were unlucky not to sneak it during normal time after a few decent openings.

Tommy Graham - facing surgery less than 48 hours after the game - was part of a heroic defence that included skipper David Gallagher, Brian Robertson and Jason Henderson.

All three worked tirelessly to limit their Ayrshire rivals to very few chances and that proved to be a rock to build on.

In midfield, a typically gritty display by Paul Young anchored the midfield along with Lee Forsyth, another who had patched himself up to play through the pain.

Both the creative Mark Campbell and heavily-shackled Robertson continued to go forward in search of the crucial openings.

And with Gordon Smith and Taylor at the head of affairs the Thorn always had a chance of going through.

Injury-hit midfielder Forsyth was then replaced by Andy Parker.

The game headed towards extra-time and Tiber had a couple of good chances to book their place in the final before the teams headed for spot-kicks.

Thorn had the benefit of some penalty practice in the earlier round against Dalziel.

Smith was first up and he cracked a rasper into the top corner, the Tiber equalised and next up was Gallagher to rattle in the second.

Enter stopper McWilliams who then pounced to his left to deny Tiber before Young despatched to put Thorn 3-1 ahead.

And to the amazement of spectators McWilliams produced a carbon copy save to deny Kenny Parris leaving Taylor with the chance to send Thorn into the final.

The striker kept his nerve to blast into the roof of the net sealing a 4-1 rout and sending the crowd into raptures.

Thorn's management team of Elliott, Hugh McCrystal and Jim Simpson have had to juggle the squad between league and cup fixtures in recent weeks.

The club would like to thank everyone who came out to support them and hope they now follow them to the final next week.

Thorn Athletic: Mark Campbell, David Elliott, Lee Forsyth, David Gallagher, Craig Goodwin, Scott Graham, Thomas Graham, David Haughie, Jason Henderson, David Malcolmson, Craig McGlone, John Paul McKeown, Liam McWilliams, Donny Morrison, Andrew Parker, Brian Robertson, Stuart Robertson, Gordon Smith, John Paul Taylor, Craig Watson, Paul Young.

Buses will be running from the town centre on Monday (leaving 6pm) to New Douglas Park for the 7.30pm kick-off and anyone interested in going or wishing further information should contact Mark McGee on 07887551234.

Details of the cup run and of the bus arrangements are available by visiting the club's website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/thornathleticafc/