BUCKIE BOTTLE
10-man Linfield show spirit
Gaffer David Healy hailed his Linfield battlers for fighting back from a goal down with 10 men to defeat Buckie.
The Blues had Chris Shields sent off for a straight red in the first half for a flailing arm at Max Barry.
Buckie made the most of their man advantage and took the lead eight minutes into the second half through Marcus Goodall.
But late goals from Joel Cooper and Niall Quinn secured a last-16 spot for the Northern Irish side.
Linfield boss Healy said: “I’m pleased to go through. The game changed with the red card but credit to the players – they showed character and resilience.
“There were a lot of decisions missed but I don’t want to be too critical of the referee.”
Linfield signalled their intent from the off, with Stephen Fallon firing over within 30 seconds.
Buckie’s Barry set up Andy MacAskill in 15 minutes but his shot was saved by visiting keeper Chris Johns.
A minute later Robbie McDaid should have given Linfield the lead but his header was harmless.
Linfield keeper Johns had to be alert to keep a Jimmy Callacher deflection out the net and prevent an own goal before Goodall’s shot was blocked.
The game swung in the home side’s favour in 33 minutes when Shields, who had already been booked, was shown a straight red card for an arm swung at Barry.
And Buckie took the lead in 53 minutes – in bizarre fashion.
A head knock led to an uncontested drop ball but, when Jimmy Callacher dallied, Goodall took advantage, running on to the ball and sending a beautiful lob over Johns from 25 yards.
McDaid’s bullet header was then turned away by Thistle keeper Lee Herbert.
But the visitors turned the match around with a quarter of an hour to go.
In 74 minutes Cooper’s deflected shot found the corner of the net to level the tie.
Then just two minutes later Cooper teed up Niall Quinn whose shot from inside the box squirmed past the Buckie keeper.
Goodall had a late chance to level – but his header hit a post.
Buckie boss Graeme Stewart said: “I’m disappointed for the boys because I thought we deserved to win it.
“I’m not annoyed, the players were outstanding, but we should be winning that game.”