David Gormley declared himself 'immensely proud' after his Kilwinning Rangers side roared back from two goals down to topple Tranent and reach the second round of the Scottish Cup.
The Ayrshiremen had it all to do after Shaun Rutherford's stunning free kick and Ben Miller's penalty put the Lowland League visitors in the driving seat inside the opening 20 minutes at Buffs Park.
But they showed terrific character to haul themselves level before the break, Mark Lamont reducing the deficit in 39 minutes before Dylan Mackin tucked away a spot-kick of his own to quickly restore parity.
Keiren Wood rifled home Buffs' third early in the second half and the turnaround was complete when Mackin scored another penalty shortly before the hour mark.
The final scoreline certainly didn't flatter West of Scotland League cracks Kilwinning who were clearly the better side on the day.
And gaffer Gormley told Ayrshire Football News: "I thought we didn't deserve to be 2-0 down but the reaction from the players was superb.
"I was immensely proud of them in terms of the fight and the togetherness.
"The defence worked their nuts off, the midfielders were dogged and the forwards asked questions.
"My goalkeeper never had a save to make the whole second half and that's not me being disrespectful to Tranent.
"We made it hard for them and they're a right good side - let's not be kidded.
"That's the level I want to see us playing at every week. We drop below that and I'm not going to be happy."
The opening exchanges were fairly frantic with neither side managing to register a shot on target until Tranent took the lead in 16 minutes.
And there was little Kilwinning keeper Craig Gordon could do about it as Rutherford's 25-yard free kick fizzed past him into the top corner.
The home side were still reeling from the strike when Miller doubled Tranent's lead from the spot three minutes later after a foul by Lamont.
It already looked a long way back for Kilwinning but they grew into the game and created their first real chance in 25 minutes when Blair McIntyre flashed an effort wide of the target.
McIntyre had the ball in the net in 33 minutes only for the linesman to flag for offside but the Buffs didn't have to wait much longer to get on the scoresheet.
A cross found Lamont on the edge of the penalty area and his first time shot back across goal wrongfooted Tranent goalkeeper Sam Scott on its way to nestling in the net.
The goal galvanised the home side and support and both were celebrating again in 43 minutes when referee Alex Shepherd pointed to the spot for the second time.
On this occasion Tranent defender Craig Barr was the guilty party, climbing all over Mackin who dusted himself down to convert from 12 yards and make it 2-2.
The half-time interval failed to stem Kilwinning's momentum and Wood put them in front in 50 minutes when his low shot from 20 yards deceived Scott who probably should have done better.
Wood played a big part in Kilwinning's fourth goal seven minutes later when his lung-busting run down the left flank ended with Tranent defender Calum Donaldson hauling him down in the box.
Whistler Shepherd had no hesitation in awarding another penalty and Mackin duly tucked it away to put daylight between the teams.
Substitute Jordan Stuart went close with a shot on the turn as Kilwinning looked for a killer fifth goal.
But Tranent served warning that they weren't out if it just yet when Euan Bauld's glancing header flew just wide of the target.
That said, Kilwinning keeper Craig Gordon was never unduly troubled and the home side held on quite comfortably to deservedly take their place in tomorrow's draw for the second round.
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