CIVIL Service Strollers manager Gary Jardine believes his team can become serious challengers after watching his players beat Vale of Leithen 4-1.

Goals from Scot Clapperton, David Churchill, Jordan Hopkinson and Alieu Faye took Strollers up to fourth in the table

Jardine, who previously guided Edinburgh City through the pyramid system and into League Two, said: “We are aiming to become a team that can challenge for titles in the seasons to come.

“We’ve already beaten our points tally from last season and we have players who are improving all the time.

“The weather was terrible today but we still showed what we’re capable of at times and I’m really happy to be leaving here with the points.

“We can’t catch the top two or three but we are more than capable of finishing fourth.”

Brad Rixon netted Vale’s injury-time consolation.

In the only other league game, Spartans were drawing 1-1 at Dalbeattie Star when the game was abandoned due to the weather.

In the South Challenge Cup East Kilbride hammered Coldstream 7-0 at Home Park.

Ross McNeil scored a hat-trick and Craig Malcolm grabbed a brace during the rout.

Sean Winter and David Proctor were also on target to help Kilby reach the semi-finals.

Striker Andy Rodgers had a day to forget for East Stirlingshire as his team crashed out 2-0 against Bonnyrigg Rose.

The club’s top scorer netted an own goal and was also sent off during the defeat at New Dundas Park.

Craig Brown, Blair Lyons, Lewis Hunter, Ross MacEwan and Josh Emmett all scored as Stirling University came from behind to beat Lothian Thistle 5-3 at Forthbank.