Lichties edged out by Bairns – but Montrose hit Nairn for seven

ARBROATH 1 FALKIRK 2

On-loan Dundee United youngster Kai Fotheringham earned Fakirk a dream Scottish Cup trip to Celtic Park with a late winner at Gayfield last night.

Fotheringham, who left Tannadice earlier this month to sign up for his local side Bairns until the summer, stepped off the bench to curl home an 87th-minute clincher for Bairns.

That strike came after Charlie Telfer cancelled out Tam O’brien’s early opener and ended Arbroath’s dream of facing Celtic next month.

“I’m disappointed for the club as this was a real chance to earn some exposure with a trip to face Celtic,” said Arbroath manager Dick Campbell.

“It’s also been a very bad night for us because it looks like Bobby Linn is out for the season with knee ligament damage. That’s a massive blow.”

The prize of a trip to Glasgow was a clear incentive for both sides as they went into this one.

Once again there was a customary swirling wind at Gayfield and it had a massive impact on the game, leading to the opening goal inside eight minutes.

Arbroath defender O’brien launched a hopeful cross into the box that slipped through the hands of Bairns keeper Robbie Mutch and dropped into the net.

The hosts then almost doubled their advantage on 16 minutes as Lewis Moore cut into the penalty box and stabbed the ball past Mutch, only for Ben Hall to clear off the line.

Arbroath were then dealt a huge blow as their talisman Linn went down awkwardly on the flank and had to be carried off on a stretcher.

O’brien then had a great chance to put his side two-up as he met a Ricky Little flick-on to head wide from six yards.

But with Arbroath pressing, Falkirk then drew level with a classic counterattack goal.

Anton Dowds controlled the ball superbly in the heart of midfield and found Akeel Francis on the left flank.

Francis then threaded in Telfer who switched onto his left foot and struck low into the net from 18 yards to make it 1-1 at the break.

Arbroath almost restored their lead in 68 minutes as Dale Hilson played in Jack Hamilton who cracked a 15 yard effort off the base of the post.

But it was Falkirk who earned the trip to Celtic Park with sub Fotheringham latching onto O’brien’s clearance to curl the ball beyond Derek Gaston from 15 yards.

NAIRN COUNTY 1 MONTROSE 7

League One Montrose will face Fraserburgh at Bellslea in the Scottish Cup third round on Saturday April 3 after overpowering Nairn County at Station Park last night.

The game was all but over as a contest by the half-hour mark with Montrose 3-0 up thanks to a well-taken

Aidan Quinn double and a Craig Johnston strike then just before the break Russell Mclean added another.

The Gable Endies opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Aidan Quinn’s 12 yard angled drive somehow eluded Dylan Maclean at his near post, the keeper got a hand to the ball but could only help it into the net.

Four minutes later Montrose doubled their advantage when Russell Maclean set up Craig

Johnston who guided the ball into the net from 12 yards.

Montrose made it 3-0 in the 25th minute, Johnston’s header came off the face of the crossbar and Quinn was on-hand to nod home his second goal of the game from six yards.

Two minutes from the break Montrose added another with a superb 20yard grounder from Russell Mclean.

Just before the hour County reduced the leeway when Tom Maclennan’s ferocious low 20-yard free kick gave Allan Fleming in the Montrose goal no chance.

On the hour Johnston restored Montrose’s fourgoal advantage with a crisp 10-yard finish for his second goal of the night and in the 71st minute substitute Lewis Hawke turned in number six from close-range.

Johnston grabbed his hat-trick in the 81st minute with an acute 12-yard nearpost drive.

LICHTIES GOAL: Defender Tam O’brien gave Arbroath the lead in their Scottish Cup clash with Falkirk.