Neilston co-manager Martin Campbell has hailed his side for sealing promotion to the new West Region Championship in front of a lively 500 strong crowd at Brig O’Lea.

A 1-1 draw last Wednesday night in wet conditions at home was enough to see the Farmer’s Boys go up after they previously won the first leg away 1-0 on June 11.

Campbell’s side went into the match with a goal advantage from Monday night’s first leg but knew Shettleston would give them a stern test to remain in the second top league.

But over two legs, Neilston were too strong, gaining their first promotion in four years, after narrowly missing out on going up automatically after a 1-0 loss to Wishaw in the last game of the regular season.

He said: “I’m really proud of the boys. I had a good feeling.

“I genuinely feel it is nothing short of what they deserve because their efforts throughout the season merited promotion.

“We were a wee bit disappointed not to get in there automatically but it finished in a good way because we got two wee cup finals and good crowds and it was quite exciting. It doesn’t matter how we got there because we got there in end.”

A composed first-half penalty from Paul Stewart, who stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and bag his 34th goal of the season, handed Neilston the lead at the break at Brig O’Lea.

But a late equaliser from ex-Neilston player Bob Campbell set up a nervy last few minutes, though Campbell insists they ‘were never in any danger’

He said: “I felt very comfortable and didn’t think Shettleston created many opportunities. Once we got the goal with Stewart that settled us down even more.

“We controlled the game from start to finish and in both games and we dominated , so we deserved to get promoted.

“I think we really stood up to them.

“We are a better footballing team and showed good battling.”