How League 2 Spartans shocked Ross County to reach last eight

The Spartans manager Dougie Samuel celebrates after his side stunned Ross County

The last time a fourth-tier team - Rangers in season 2012-13 - reached the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup, Dougie Samuel was taking charge of The Spartans for the first time and competing in the East of Scotland Premier Division.

Now, he's enjoying his 12th season in the dugout and regularly defying the odds with the community club playing professional football for just the second season following promotion to League 2 last year.

The ink is still drying in the history books with the number of honours scribbled down following Saturday's worthy win against Scottish Premiership side Ross County at Ainslie Park.

From their first victory against a top-flight team, to just their fourth triumph over a full-time outfit, Spartans are, unsurprisingly, in unchartered territory being in the pot at this stage of a national cup competition.

So, how did Samuel and his Spartans execute one of the largest and most historic cup scalps and set up a mouth-watering last-eight tie against Aberdeen?

'I'm the luckiest guy in the world'

"In a nutshell, everyone gave everything and executed the gameplan."

Samuel said that post-match with confidence and pride. He had just witnessed his side not only defeat a Premiership team, but outperform them.

Everything Spartans had in their discipline, dominance and desire, County lacked.

If a neutral punter picked Ainslie Park as their destination of choice on Saturday, they would have been forgiven for thinking the hosts operated among the big boys week in, week out.

In just his second game since arriving on loan from Queen's Park, 21-year-old goalkeeper Jacques Heraghty was never threatened in goal.

The same couldn't be said for opposite number Ross Laidlaw.

Blair Henderson spearheaded The Spartans' charge to history on Saturday against Ross County

With 94 goals in 143 games, you can understand why Samuel hailed star striker - and Saturday's match-winner - Blair Henderson as "one of - if not the most - significant signing" Spartans have made.

Few would argue. Samuel himself said he is "the luckiest guy in the world to work with this special and talented group".

Samuel was the man who managed to lure a then-26-year-old Henderson with SPFL experience to Lowland League Spartans three years ago, and he's been reaping the rewards ever since.

The forward's sensational header on Saturday, which looped out of Laidlaw's reach, was not his most important goal for the club, but it's arguably the most lucrative, with Spartans guaranteed an unprecedented windful even before learning their quarter-final fate.

It may be one of the most talked about, too, given the stage it was scored on, but those who pitch up in Pilton every week out are used to this sort of magic. As is Samuel.

"He's in a good place right now, he's started the season well and he's our talisman at the top end," the manager told BBC Scotland.

The header was his fourth goal of the season already, having scored the winner in Spartans' 1-0 victory against Forfar Athletic in the group stage, too.

Samuel hoped for a home draw in the quarter-finals, and although he is a Hibs fan, he would "love to play the Old Firm".

"Anyone at home who packs this place out, because this is a special arena with 3,500 people in it," he added.

'Mr Spartans' didn't get his wish, but he'll be hoping Henderson heads them on their way to even more history when they head to the Granite City next month with a date at Hampden on the horizon.