BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
THE play-offs at least put a smile on one Hibernian player this weekend as Edinburgh City created history by winning promotion to the SPFL at the expense of East Stirlingshire.
City defender Aaron Dunsmore is on loan from Hibs and was able to put to one side the misery of the Easter Road side’s dramatic defeat to Falkirk on Friday night and enjoy the euphoria of the Lowland League champions’ ascension to League Two.
After a 1-1 draw in the first-leg seven days previously, it was a penalty from club stalwart Dougie Gair, just four minutes from time, that proved the decisive moment in ensuring City can look forward to an exciting summer, whilst Shire’s is an uncertain one.
For Dunsmore, the high of the full-time whistle at Ochilview followed just hours after the low of watching his employers suffer an agonising low in their own play-off bid.
“Saturday was a very, very special moment,” beamed the 19-year-old.
“When I came on loan to Edinburgh City, the main aim was to get to the play-offs and then, beating Cove and getting to the final, we had a right belief we were going to win.
“It’s a great feeling for me and all the boys.
“Obviously it wasn’t so good for Hibs on Friday but I was always fully focused on Saturday, to make sure that I took care of my own business and got Edinburgh City up.
“I stayed in the house and watched the Hibs game on TV. It was a hard one to take but we just have to get on with it.
“It’s a crazy world, football, you just never know what’s going to happen. There’s ups and downs all the time.
“I just kept my head high. It’s a sore one to take for the club but I’m proud to be an Edinburgh City player as well and it was a great feeling to go up.”
