FALKIRK 1 Morrison (50) RAITH ROVERS 2 Matthews (27), Ross (84)
Championship side Raith justified their tag as favourites after knocking League One Falkirk out of the Cup, but Rovers certainly did it the hard way after playing 70 minutes with 10 men following two yellow cards for defender Reghan Tumilty.
They still took the lead before being pegged back, and a replay at Starks Park appeared to be on the cards until Ethan Ross grabbed a dramatic winner for Rovers with barely six minutes left.
“It looked as though we were going to a replay, and we might not have been too unhappy about that after playing so long with 10 men,” said boss John McGlynn.
“We would have fancied our chances 11 v 11 at home, but fortunately Ethan Ross popped up with a late winner to get us through.
“We’ll now see what the draw gives us in the next round when the big clubs come in.”
Raith began yesterday’s tie on the back of an 11-match unbeaten run since losing to Celtic in the League Cup, while Falkirk had not won at home since early last month.
Ross almost put the visitors in front within five minutes but saw his shot rebound off the crossbar, while the Bairns also hit woodwork through Callumn Morrison.
Raith’s chances seemed to have been handed a fatal blow when Tumilty was sent off following two bookings in quick succession, but the 10 men soon led after midfielder Ross Matthews struck from outside the box, with less than half an hour played.
Tom Lang wasted a great chance to double their advantage shortly before half-time, and Rovers paid the price when Ryan Williamson set up Morrison to equalise in the 50th minute.
Lang missed two other opportunities for the Fifers, but sub Matej Poplatnik made the difference with time running out and a replay looming as his pass was gleefully slotted home by Ross, his right-footed shot from the centre of the box beating home keeper Paddy Martin.
“It was a sore one for us, but the league is our number one priority and we’ll focus on that now,” said Bairns manager Paul Sheerin.