Spot-on Parry sees off Airdrie
Following a 2- 2 draw after 90 minutes, the first- round tie went to extra- time, but there were no further goals and so it went to penalties.
Parry saved Airdrie’s first two spot- kicks from Marc Fitzpatrick and Jamie Bain, while the League Two side scored all of their penalties to win 4-2.
Early on, a great run down the right by Scott Gray was followed by a fine back- post cross that Liam Watt met by diving and heading powerfully home.
Rovers levelled six minutes from the break when McKenzie’s cross was hammered home by Love, who connected with a wellplaced volley from 10 yards out and it was honours even by the interval.
Blockley restored Airdrie’s advantage after 61 minutes, following up his superb diving header from Gray’s cross, after Parry had almost clawed the ball back before crossing the line.
Blockley headed home from close range. Substitute keeper Birnstingl’s attempted clearance went high in the air and Gemmell’s overhead kick sent the ball into the net with four minutes left.
There was no scoring in extra time, which was down to keeper Parrry, who made splendid saves from Blockley. Rovers’ Phillips almost nicked right at the end when he fired a shot low from 40 yards, but the big Canadian keeper collected easily.
Into the penalty shoot- out and it was not clear if the Airdrie keeper would still have a hangover from his late lapse that let Rovers in for their second equaliser.
First up for Airdr i e was Fitpatrick, who shot down the middle, but keeper Parry blocked. Gemmell stepped up to send the Airdrie keeper the wrong way. Another defender stepped up for Airdrie and Bain’s shot low to Parry’s right was well saved.
Pollok hammered home for Rovers to make it 2- 0. Paddy Boyle’s penalty was well struck to put Airdrie on the scoresheet. Phillips restored the two- goal advantage and, after Parker netted his penalty, up stepped player- manager Darren Young to blast down the middle and send Rovers into Round Two for the first time in four years.