Moyola Park eye up big home tie in quarter-final after claiming the Premiership scalp of Dungannon Swifts in the BetMcLean Cup

The Premier Intermediate side stunned their Premiership opponents when Lee McLaughlin netted inside the opening minute.

Dungannon – who had won five straight Premiership games on home soil – named a strong starting line-up but didn’t overly trouble Andy Findlay until the latter stages of the contest when Danny Wallace hit the post with a header.

Further opportunities arrived through Thomas Maguire and Sam Anderson but the brilliant Moyola held firm to reach the last-eight as the Irish Cup holders bowed out.

“We went with a game plan of being difficult to play against but also have threats to hurt them at the other end,” said Smith.

"It’s probably how it worked out after Lee’s opener which was a well-worked goal.

"We had a great shape and I feel that we limited Dungannon to very few chances. Of course, we had a few rubs of the green but you need that when you play top-flight opposition.

"We also hit the post late on and could have won by more, but at the same stretch, we rode our luck a bit.

"I think it’s the first time Moyola Park has reached the quarter-final stage of the League Cup...so it was a fantastic night for the club.”

Moyola will watch on with intent when the draw is made for the quarter-final – with full details on that to be confirmed by the Northern Ireland Football League.

However, Smith – who was previously manager at various under-age levels at Coleraine – is hoping for a plum home tie against one of the Premiership big-boys.

He revealed: “A big home draw would be fantastic for everyone involved at the club, whether that be the committee members, staff, fans.

"When you get to this stage, you know it’s going to be difficult thereafter so you might as well have a go at anyone and it would be great if we were at home for it.

"It would bring a good income into the club and it would be another valuable experience for the players and everyone connected with Moyola.”

The Castledawson-based side currently top the third-tier alongside Ballyclare Comrades after amassing 10 points from their opening four games.

Their next test is at home to third-placed Knockbreda and Smith remarked that he would swap Tuesday night’s win at Dungannon for all three points come 5pm on Saturday.

"Our group will certainly take belief from the result as Dungannon were arguably one of the in-form teams in the division and have beaten Larne, Glentoran and Crusaders at Stangmore Park recently,” he continued.

"Rodney didn’t name a weakened squad or anything like that and gave us his utmost respect...so it’s a big win for us.

"But we have Knockbreda on Saturday and I’d happily swap the result on Tuesday for a win at home this weekend as the League is our bread and butter.”