John Potter and JJ post semi final

Potts: "It is brilliant, I honestly couldn't be more happy for them. They deserve everything that they get because they worked so hard ..

Under 20's coach John Potter was thrilled at his team's success over his old club in Sunday's semi final of the SFA Youth Cup

"It is brilliant, I honestly couldn't be more happy for them. They deserve everything that they get because they worked so hard- they were knackered and they were tired but they were different class. They have not been getting paid, they have been struggling to get into training so I am delighted for them.

"To have scored a goal with two minutes to go and then they come back, we might just have chucked it but they started again from fresh."

Dunfermline looked as though they had the tie won in 88 minutes when Blair Henderson netted but St Mirren equalised from the restart and took the match into extra time. In a voice that was wearing out fast, Potts continued

"They just dug it out and kept going. They deserve it because they work hard every single day in training. Kerr Young set us up after I told him to go and lead by example. Shaun Byrne was great in the middle of the park and Andy Ritchie was brilliant when he came on. He has played the majority of the season but he has not played in the last few weeks and has been a bit disappointed, so I am delighted for him."

The coach tried to recall Andy Ritchie's winning goal two minutes before the end of extra time:-

"From what I can remember there was a one two down the line with Allan Smith playing in Grant Munro. He cut it back and it just seemed to take for ever to go into the back of the net."

Jim Jefferies thought that it was a tremendous cup tie in which St Mirren played a large part.:-

"It was always a tough game for Dunfermline but they got themselves ahead twice and must have been gutted when St Mirren scored so late in the game in normal time. They showed tremendous character to come back the way they did. It is easy to be deflated.

"It is proof of any work that has been done by John Potter, Craig Dargo and the first team coaches by integrating them into training and giving them a wee spell in the first team squad. It is fantastic for all the work to pay off and reach a national final.

"At a time when it is difficult for the Club these boys have done us proud. It is good for the young boys to give us a wee lift and they have a day to look forward to that they will enjoy. You never know in cup ties, they have to be in with a chance because they play for each other. I have seen them play better but it was a bobbly pitch and a tough cup tie against a good side.

"It doesn't matter how you play it is all about getting through. They didn't play badly, they fought for everything and showed courage to come back. We held the lead for a long time, they got an equaliser where they could have picked it up and gone on from that. But we responded well, got ourselves in front but lost a second goal at the end."

The gaffer agreed that it was a 'never say die' attitude shown on the pitch in this game that is exactly what those trying to keep the Club alive have been showing.

"We showed character to comeback. We played well in extra time, it was good football at a time when the legs were tiring. I think St Mirren tired a little bit more than us.

"It is great for them, you could see the joy in the dressing room. It doesn't happen too often to young boys at a First Division club."