Spiders are upbeat ahead of cup replay

DOWNFIELD will be looking to join Carnoustie, Lochee United, Forfar WE and Jeanfield in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup when they get a second bite of the cherry against Wishaw tomorrow.

The Spiders will be disappointed they are forced to make the journey west after failing to hold on to a two-goal lead last week.

However, it was a fairly-even contest and there is no reason why Paul Marr’s men shouldn’t return with a victory.

The Spiders couldn’t have made a better start in the first tie as they went 2-0 up in the first eight minutes.

The first came in five minutes when Paul Blackwood knocked home from six yards.

Three minutes later, after excellent build-up, the ball was rolled back to Phil Hagan and the former Lochee United striker curled a shot past the visiting keeper from 10 yards.

The job was far from done, however, and Wishaw came storming back in 32 minutes when Dan Kindlan pulled one back.

It was all square again two minutes later when the home defence failed to clear and Joe McAfferty took full advantage to fire home the equaliser.

It was nip and tuck for the rest of the game and it could have gone either way in the second half.

Downfield’s Calvin Colquhoun hit the post with a header and Wishaw almost snatched it through Jim Coffey but his effort was cleared off the line.

The Spiders await a fitness test on Blackwood, who limped off shortly after scoring last Saturday, but otherwise hope to be at full strength.

Scone Thistle’s much-delayed tie at home to Kilsyth Rangers finally went ahead last Saturday with the visitors emerging 3-0 victors.

At the end of a first half in which chances at either end were few and far between, the goalless scoreline was a pretty fair reflection of proceedings.

But Kilsyth’s more aggressive approach in the second half was rewarded with three goals.

Just after the hour mark, Gary Kelly fired them ahead from the penalty spot.

Thistle strived hard to get back into the game but, in 77 minutes, their hopes were dealt a hammer-blow when the Rangers doubled their lead, Andrew McLauchlin sidefooting home from close range.

Four minutes later an own goal sealed Thistle’s fate.

Carnoustie (red) on the attack against Petershill. The Gowfers won the Scottish Cup tie 2-1 at Laing Park (see left).

Action from Scone Thistle’s Scottish Cup tie against Kilsyth (blue). The Perthshire outfit lost 3-0.