IRN BRU CUP NORTH THIRD ROUND

FA LKIRK 6 ELGIN CITY 1

FALKIRK took the lead after only five minutes when Myles Hippolyte’s powerful cross was headed across goal by Tom Taiwo to Bob McHugh, whose looping header sailed beyond stranded Elgin goalkeeper Cameron MacKay.

Having created the opener, Hippolyte then found his way on to the scoresheet just after the half-hour, his cross from the leftwing completely deceiving MacKay and ending up in the corner of the net.

The home side appeared confident at this stage with but the visitors stormed back into contention rapidly, Mark Nicholson sending a superb firsttime shot high into the net following Daniel Moore’s free-kick.

Falkirk’s two-goal advantage was quickly restored, however, John Baird running on to a superb through ball from Craig Sibbald before slotting the ball home.

Any remote hopes the Black and Whites’ small group of travelling fans may have harboured of a comeback were eradicated in the opening minutes of the second half when David McCracken headed home from Taiwo’s corner to make it 4-1.

Then another Taiwo corner was knocked into the goalmouth by Baird shortly afterwards where McHugh was on hand to fire home No 5.

A further close-range effort from Baird completed the rout.

FORFA R 3 RA ITH ROVERS 2

FORFAR carved out an early chance through David Cox but his powerful shot found the side-netting.

Raith replied through Mark Stewart, who saw his shot well blocked by Forfar keeper Grant Adam. The follow-up shot was pulled wide by Ross Callachan.

Stewart, though, opened Raith’s account in 18 minutes. Rudi Skacel sent over a low centre from the left and Stewart stabbed the ball home from six yards.

Forfar levelled on the half-hour after a stunning 25-yard drive from Lewis Milne beat Connor Brennan in the Raith goal.

Six minutes later, the home side went ahead. Tam O’Brien hit a low free-kick against the foot of the defensive wall and the ball squirmed through to Josh Peters, who calmly slotted home from 12 yards.

Forfar extended their lead in the 56th minute with a wellcrafted goal. Gavin Swankie found Marc Scott on the edge of the box and he lifted a pass across the area to Peters, who first-timed it for his second of the game.

Raith reduced the deficit in the 61st minute when Declan McManus took advantage of Adam’s hesitation at a corner to head home from point-blank range.

That set up a tense and exciting finish and, deep into stoppage time, Raith almost secured extra time when Callachan’s shot was brilliantly parried by Adam, only for Lewis Caughan to sky the rebound high and wide.