FORFAR ATHLETIC 4

(aet, 90 min 1-1) Mackintosh (14), Fotheringham (95), Allan (101, 103)

LINLITHGOW ROSE 1

Wilson (11)

Stuart Malcolm was pleased his side eventually overpowered a stubborn Linlithgow Rose to secure their place in the third round of the Scottish cup.

“It was a very difficult afternoon,” the Forfar manager said.

“I probably kicked every ball myself, which doesn’t help when you’re not in the dugout and trying to stay involved,” a rueful Malcolm reflected after being sent off back in December.

“I thought we were the better side. We looked solid defensively and created chances, which we really should have done better from, but, overall, I’m delighted to be in the next round. That’s all you can ask. It’s financially great for the club, especially in these difficult times, so I’m really pleased.”

The hosts controlled large parts of the opening stages, but it was the junior outfit who got the opener in the 11th minute when Dean Cairns battled to get a shot off. His first was blocked by Jack Mackenzie, his second by Gary Irvine, but his third caused far more trouble as Marc Mccallum could only parry to the awaiting Kyle Wilson, who had his side dreaming of a second cup upset at Station Park.

The Loons, though, brought them back down to earth just three minutes later after good play from Florent Hoti in the middle freed Bobby Barr. He crossed for Murray Mackintosh who stretched to kick the ball into the net from close in.

The game then settled down and always looked headed for extra time, despite Mccallum being forced to close down and block Owen Ronald’s shot and Schwake doing the same to deny Scott Shepherd at the other end.

The junior outfit had put a lot into the 90 minutes and extra time was just a step too far for The Rose.

Forfar pulled in front just five minutes into the extra period from the most unlikeliest of sources as 37-year-old coach Martyn Fotheringham was on hand to head home a deflected cross.

Jordan Allan doubled the home lead when he brought down a long ball from Mccallum and, despite having no blue shirts around, dribbled past the defence and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Any lingering hopes of an upset were well and truly crushed less than a minute later. Substitute Allan again made a nuisance of himself and capitalised on a mix-up in the Linlithgow defence and bundled the ball just over the line.