COVE RANGERS 2 Vigurs (33), McAllister (90 +1) QOS 2 Soares-Junior (31) Paton (72)

These two teams will do it all again at Palmerston Park a week on Tuesday.

An injury-time leveller from Rory McAllister kept Cove’s Cup dream alive, much to the frustration of Queen of the South boss Allan Johnston, who admitted that conceding in the dying stages in the match has been the story of their season.

Johnston said: “It wasn’t to be on the day, after being in the lead until injury time.

“We need to stop giving away cheap goals.

“The boys worked incredibly hard and there wasn’t much to separate the sides but we need to manage the game better in certain situations.

“You expect to see the game out when leading twice, which is where the disappointment and frustration comes from.”

Cove Rangers manager Paul Hartley couldn’t fault his players and saw the late lifeline as reward for his team’s efforts.

He said: “I thought we were good and didn’t deserve to lose the game.

“We put a lot into it and a draw was merited in the end. We were comfortable in our play and their goalkeeper had some great saves.”

The visitors took the lead on 33 minutes. Willie Gibson got to the byline before flashing a cross

finding Ruben Soares-Junior, who crept the ball into the net.

Cove were infuriated with the call made by referee Scott Lambie but the response was special from Hartley’s side.

They were behind for just over a minute when a 30-yard Iain Vigurs free-kick found the top-left corner beyond the reach of Solomon Brynn to square things up in style.

Johnston’s side took the lead once more on 74 minutes, Alex Cooper sending a lovely ball into

the danger zone and sub Ruairi Paton guiding home.

But Queens were reduced to 10 men on 82 minutes, Roberto Nditi wiping out McAllister on the halfway line, which gave Lambie no option but to send off the defender.

Cove took advantage of the extra man in injury time. Jamie Masson picked out McAllister and he rifled home a stunning effort past the stranded Brynn.