Colin Smith admitted retaining the West of Scotland Amateur Cup was the perfect way to sign off as Shortlees boss.
The Kilmarnock side produced some Monday night magic after coming back from 2-0 down to beat Bannockburn 3-2 in a dramatic final.
Goals from Kyle Imrie and Ryan Millar had Bannockburn cruising at the interval at Hamilton Accies’ New Douglas Park.
However, roared on by a terrific Shortlees travelling support, Smith’s troops turned the contest on its head thanks to Kris Chisholm’s brace and a late Steven Currie winner.
Delighted manager Smith told the Kilmarnock Standard: “We had a mountain to climb but we made a few tweaks and told the players to believe in themselves.
“I thought we were deservedly the better team in the second half after being quite passive in the first half. It’s unbelievable to defend the title. Not many teams have done it before.
“This is my last season. I’m taking a step back to join the committee side of things and I asked the boys to do this for me. I’m over the moon.”
Imrie turned home the opener in the 13th minute before Millar’s cool finish doubled Bannockburn’s lead.
Chisholm pulled one back from the spot, after Kenny Feaks brought down Currie in the area, and he made it 2-2 when he drilled a low shot into the net.
With three minutes left, Shortlees clinched it when Currie volleyed home a back-post cross from Marc Walker. Late goal hero Currie was player of the match and there was a crowd of 512.
Shortlees: Murdoch, Biggar, Drummond, Paterson, Minor, Boyd, Hanvey, McFarland, Walker, Chisholm, Currie. Subs: Orr, Laidlaw, Johnson, Houston, Galloway, Williams, Gold.
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