Second-half horror show put paid to Black and Gold hopes

Huntly’s hopes of a run in the Scottish Cup were ended with a 4-1 defeat by East Stirlingshire at Christie Park.

There were suggestions East Stirling had fielded an ineligible player with Andy Rodgers, who scored from the penalty spot for the visitors, listed as suspended for the match on the Scottish FA website.

But that proved to be an administrative error by the SFA with Rodgers having already served his ban last season.

Shire player-manager Derek Ure was pleased to make it through to the second round after defeats in their last two Scottish Cup outings against Highland opposition.

He said: “We played well for the first half hour when Huntly came back into it after a sloppy goal, but I thought we were excellent in the second half.

“A n d y R o d g e r s produced two moments of quality to help us win the match.”

Huntly manager Martin Skinner admitted his side faded after a bright first half. He said: “We came in at the break the better team but we didn’t turn up in the second half. It wasn’t good enough and it’s not the type of performance we’re going to accept here.”

Midway through the half, Robbie McNab saw a shot blocked by Euan Storrier but winger Drew Ramsay drilled in the rebound for East Stirling.

The lead lasted nine minutes as Alexander Jack gathered the ball outside the Shire box and his powerful strike from 30 yards took a deflection on its way into the net for his first Huntly goal.

The visitors were awarded a penalty four minutes into the second half when Storrier bundled over Ross Allum in the box. Rodgers stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Huntly conceded again in the 59th minute when, following a quick counter, Rodgers worked the ball for Allum to drill in the third.

The scoring was wrapped up in the 74th minute when Darren Wood’s headed clearance from a Rodgers ball forward fell to Allum who lashed high into the net for his second.

Huntly’s miserable afternoon got worse two minutes into stoppage time when Blair Johnston was sent off for a late challenge on Shire sub Steven Brisbane.

“It’s not the type of performance we’re going to accept here”