Lanark sole survivors of Saturday cup woes
Carluke and Royal Albert out, Vics still to make bid
Lanark United were the only one of three local sides to keep alive Scottish Cup hopes after Saturday’s fourth-round ties.
United drew 1-1 with Rossvale but Carluke Rovers crashed out 3-1 to Lochee United and Royal Albert lost 3-1 at home to Clydebank.
Now Blantyre Vics will make a bid to reach the last 32 of the Scottish Junior Cup.
Vics manager John Gibson said: “Our tie was postponed last weekend because Auchinleck Talbot were playing at Cove Rangers in the ‘big’ Scottish Cup.
“We have a couple of minor injuries but we’re looking forward to the tie.”
Lanark were without Mchugh, Martin and Stark, and during the week, the club brought in ex-united players Martin Smith on loan from Albion Rovers and Alan Mccrum from Colville Park Amateurs.
Mark Haddow had to be replaced by Stuart Annetts after 15 minutes.
Lanark started well, with an Ian Watt eighth-minute shot blocked on the line, and Martin Smith, Alan Mccrum and Cammy Lawson all came close. Then on 52 minutes, keeper Gareth Hallford saved well from Liam Mcgonigle.
Vale were awarded a penalty on 67 minutes when a net-bound shot hit Martin Smith on the hand. Smith was red-carded and Chris Zok scored from the spot.
Lanark equalised from the spot in 78 minutes when Watt was barged off the ball as he was about to shoot. This time a yellow card was shown and Watt scored from the spot to equalise.
Carluke Rovers went out 3-1 to Lochee United despite putting in a never-say-die 90 minutes.
Haley and Weir came close in a goal-less first half, but Lochee scored five minutes into the second half, then Carluke’s Kane picked up a second yellow card for a petulant trip after being dispossessed in the middle of the park.
Lochee made the extra man count and scored on the hour.
Rovers pulled one back in 67 minutes when Weir threaded a 20-yard pass through to Haley, who was tripped in the box then fired home the resultant penalty.
Rovers almost drew level in 70 minutes when a Weir corner was headed narrowly past by Watson, but while Rovers were pressing for an equaliser, Lochee scored their third in 85 minutes.
Royal Albert went down 3-1 at home to Clydebank despite taking a lead in 25 minutes when Allan Campbell scored after good lead-up work by Ryan Sullivan and Gerry Ferne.
Manager Jamie Nesbett said: “We really competed well. Jack Baptie had to go off after a knee injury that required nine stitches. Then Mark Harley was red-carded for what we thought was just ‘a forward’s tackle’.”