Stenhousemuir earn shot at playing Scottish Championship football after dramatic penalty shootout success.

Stenhousemuir have earned a shot at playing Scottish Championship football next season after reaching the play-off final on Saturday following a dramatic penalty shootout success over Queen of the South.

Motherwell co-op loan star Olly Whyte netted the decisive spot-kick after goalkeeper Darren Jamieson saved Nicky Clark’s effort from 12 yards. Both teams had missed one penalty each beforehand, with Matty Aitken and Reece Lyon both missing. Skipper Gregor Buchanan, Dale Carrick and Michael Anderson scored for the Warriors while Kurtis Guthrie, Kai Kennedy and Jordan Allan netted for the Doonhamers.

Preceding the penalty shootout was a play-off classic at Ochilview Park, with the both teams playing out a 2-2 draw after extra-time following the first leg draw at Palmerston last Tuesday. Forward Aitken got the home side off to the perfect start when he headed home Kinlay Bilham’s free-kick after just five minutes but veteran Clark levelled things up soon after. In extra-time, Whyte slammed home what looked to be a winner but Clark slotted home with two minutes remaining to take it to penalties.

Gary Naysmith’s side - who finished second in League One only two points behind Inverness Caley Thistle - will now take on fellow part-timers Alloa Athletic in the two-legged final for a spot in next season’s second tier. The Warriors will now make the short trip to the Indodrill on Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off) before welcoming the Wasps to Ochilview on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off). They earned home advantage by finishing above Andy Graham’s outfit. Both matches are being broadcast live on BBC Alba.

Gary Naysmith so proud of players’ efforts

Speaking to Warriors TV, proud boss Naysmith - who will depart the club following the conclusion of the play-offs to join Ayr United - hailed his players’ immense quality and sheer effort.

“I thought we deserved to go through,” the former Scotland full-back said. “Queen of the South had the possession in the first half but we had the best chances. We made a tactical change at half time and I thought that it worked. In the second half, I honestly felt that we were outstanding in every aspect of our game. We didn’t dip late on and we didn’t dip in extra time. Our fitness levels were incredible. It’s our 53rd game of the season as a part-time club but it felt like our players could keep on running and running. On top of that, we created chances and looked like the team going on to win it. We should have had the game dead and buried before penalties.”

Naysmith added: “The players can enjoy that they have reached the final. But the mindset come Monday is that we haven’t done anything yet. We can acknowledge that we got through but the players will be fully focused for the almighty challenge we have ahead of us taking on Alloa. We have two games to achieve something special.