Martin fires late Utd winner
Two late goals ensured Fauldhouse United became the only West Lothian side to book their place in the fourth round of the Scottish Junior Cup with a dramatic victory away to West Region outfit Larkhall Thistle.
United appeared to be heading for a cup exit as the game entered the final couple of minutes but Declan Byrne rifled home a half-volley from the edge of the box after the Thistle defence failed to clear a corner.
With the wind firmly in their sails after what had been a frustrating afternoon, they struck a late blow thanks to a mistake from the home keeper, who came flying out of his goal to deal with a long ball, only to miss it completely and leave James Martin with a simple tap-in to seal a last-gasp victory.
The visitors, who entered the match on the back of a morale-boosting league win against Jeanfield Swifts, did have the better of the early stages but the Larkhall defence held firm.
At the other end, Liam Mushett and Ryan Innes saw headers fly wide of the post as the teams went into the break goalless.
United had the ball in the net, only for it to be disallowed, before Larkhall enjoyed their best spell of the game and took the lead with 15 minutes left to play when Innes got on the end of David Reid’s cross to head into the far corner.
Fauldhouse, though, are not a side to give up and they showed all of their character and effort to grab victory from the jaws of defeat when Byrne, and then Martin, found the net to complete a dramatic turnaround.
United boss Stephen Findlay commented:“It was a great way for us to finish the match.”