East Kilbride clinch back-to-back promotions in style on nerve-shredding final day as Spartans left to rue late collapse

The ambitious South Lanarkshire outfit continue to go from strength to strength under the guidance of Michael Kennedy after breaking their way into the senior league set-up for the first time following their fourth Lowland League title triumph in 2024.

The K-Park club will now gear up for an assault on League One next term after a dominant display over the Bully Wee, coupled with runners-up Spartans’ 2-2 draw away at Stirling Albion wrapped up the title on a nerve-shredding final day of the campaign.

East Kilbride have led the way for much of the season and their 22nd win in 37 matches saw them get their hands on the silverware. Their closest challengers, Spartans, had briefly hit the summit but a late end-of-season collapse gifted the Oystercatchers the trophy.

Ally McCoist watches hometown club clinch title in style

The equation was straightforward for East Kilbride. They needed just a point at home to Clyde to finish top of the table and make sure of a third title in a row, with Spartans requiring a victory and a huge seven-goal swing for it to turn in their favour. This wasn’t quite a dramatic Helicopter Saturday scenario, but Kennedy’s side knew they still had to take care of business.

With legendary Rangers striker Ally McCoist in attendance to offer his support for his hometown club, EK got off to a dream start inside the opening 120 seconds.

Free-scoring striker John Robertson - nominated for PFA Scotland’s League Two Player of the Year award earlier this week - fired the home side in front with a clinical finish. The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Championship side Raith Rovers in recent weeks after netting 31 goals in all competitions this season, making him the highest scorer across the entire SPFL.

On loan Dunfermline attacker Connor Young then notched two goals in the space of 14 minutes to leave East Kilbride cruising towards the title as Spartans struggled to find a breakthrough at Stirling.

Clyde had no answers to their hosts’ first-half dominance and fell further behind just past the hour mark when East Kilbride captain Jack Leitch lobbed an effort over visiting keeper Jay Hogarth.

Centre-back Sean Fagan added a touch of gloss to the score line by prodding home from a corner after 78 minutes to leave Clyde battered and bruised.

Darren Young’s men must now dust themselves down to prepare for a two-legged play-off semi-final tie with Spartans. This day, however, belonged to East Kilbride, and delighted boss Kennedy admits he is already relishing some long-distance travel next term.

“Ross County next season then!” Kennedy chuckled. “There will be a lot of long journeys involved by the looks of it, but we’re all looking forward to it. I’m over the moon for everyone connected with the club, the players, staff, supporters. It means everything.

“This is probably the biggest achievement of my career so far, right up there with knocking Aberdeen out of the Scottish Cup. It's easy for me to stand here and be the one that’s led us to the title, but ultimately it’s down to the players to go out and deliver. The level of football we’ve played at times this season has been outstanding.”