Star stunned last season's Super League championship challengers Whitburn with a superb 4-0 victory in an ill-tempered match while holders Linlithgow Rose were dumped out following a 3-1 defeat to Camelon.

Newtongrange found themselves two goals to the good with only eight minutes on the clock thanks to an own goal from John Murphy before Gareth Hutchison doubled their advantage.

Things went from bad to worse for Whitburn when goalkeeper Stuart Walker picked up his second booking of the game and was sent for an early bath before Newtongrange striker Scott McCulloch also saw red.

Whitburn were reduced to nine men when Colin Leiper was sent-packing within five minutes of the restart and Star took full advantage as they extended their lead through Scott Swaney.

Ian McManus of Star then became the fourth player to see red but that didn't prevent the New Victoria Park outfit from netting again as Swaney grabbed his second of the evening. Newtongrange manager Graeme Armstrong said: "I'm delighted for the players. We started well and never looked like losing.

"We got the breaks and deserved the result."

The other semi-final clash proved almost as eventful and the tie was again overshadowed by sending-offs.

Linlithgow's Sean Grady, booked after only 25 seconds, was sent off with eight minutes on the clock leaving his side facing an uphill battle. And things got worse for the West Lothian club when Chris Jeffrey gave Camelon the lead shortly before half-time.

After the break Mark Bradley sent off for violent conduct before Jeffrey's added two more to complete his hat-trick.

Scott Wilson did manage to pull a goal back for Linlithgow with ten minutes to go but there was to be no way back for the holders.

Camelon assistant coach Steve Kerrigan believed his side fully merited their victory.

"It was a terrific effort from the lads," he said. "We were very comfortable and after the first half hour when Linlithgow were pressing, had control of the game. It's good to be in a final so early."