KICK UP THE BOT
Agony as Wilson gives away Cup lifeline
A boot to the face spared Arbroath. A boot in the haws- maws sank Auchinleck.
Talbot’s name will still be in tonight’s fourth-round draw but they were only six minutes from it appearing without an asterisk.
Graham Wilson’s high boot in the vicinity of sub Scott Stewart allowed Mikey McKenna to drill home a spot-kick leveller.
Tomorrow morning will now be spent angling with bosses for half- days as Gayfield beckons for Wednesday night’s replay.
Bot boss Tucker Sloan felt it was a soft spot-kick but honest Wilson, a plumber by trade, said: “Gutted, absolutely raging with myself for giving away a penalty.
“We gave a good account of ourselves again and could have sneaked it. We had chances but were maybe not clinical enough in the final third – and it has cost us with the penalty.
“But we will go up there and give it another go.
“My boot is high, he’s gone in with his head. Anywhere else on the park and it is a free-kick so I can’t argue with the decision.”
Neither could anyone dispute the quality of Dwayne Hyslop’s dipping strike that gave the junior side an early lead.
Bot secretary Henry Dumigan cradled a glass of whisky in the Portacabin turned committee room at half time, nervous about protecting their advantage.
Self-dubbed Special One Jose Mourinho was on the telly in the corner after winning his first game in charge of Spurs.
Asked who he’d prefer, Dumigan said: “Tucker any day.”
Gordon Pope blocked a Josh Campbell effort and Wilson fired wide before his late foul gave McKenna the chance to fire past home keeper Andy Leishman.
Arbroath boss Dick Campbell said: “All credit to Auchinleck, I knew how difficult it was going to be. They didn’t disappoint.”
Talbot could land a potential glamour tie tonight but Tucker is only thinking about Gayfield.
He said: “We can get through. The odds are against us but these players have done it before and hopefully can do it again.”
A fan wandered over en route to his car as darkness set in. “I feel like we got beat,” he said. “So do I,” came Tucker’s reply.