BANKS O’ DEE 0

RAITH ROVERS 3 Stanton (67), Poplatnik (89), Connolly (90)

Raith Rovers made it through to the fifth round but had to rely on two very late goals to kill off Aberdeen junior giants Banks O’dee who were playing in front of the biggest crowd in their history.

Rovers boss John Mcglynn felt his side could have finished the tie earlier.

He said: “We dominated the game but made it difficult for ourselves because we didn’t get the first until the second half.

“We missed a lot of chances early doors.

“We’re delighted to get through to the next round, but it was not an outstanding performance.

“It was a little test but we came through it and I felt we were worthy winners.”

The Kirkcaldy side settled into the game quickly with centre-forward Jamie Gullan squandering several chances to put his side ahead.

Fraser Hobday made a great one-onone save to deny Ross Matthews and

then stopped a Tom Lang effort just before half-time.

Frankie Musanda headed against the outside of the post but the opener in 65 minutes was from a controversial free- kick, Dee claiming Darryn Kelly had won the ball fairly in a challenge with ex-don Ethan Ross.

Aidan Connolly saw his free-kick take a deflection over the wall and fall for Sam Stanton to roll home from six yards.

Dee finally came to life in the last 10 minutes, Lachie Macleod forcing Jamie Mcdonald to save his free-kick at full stretch after a last-man challenge.

However, it was 2-0 in 89 minutes through sub Matej Poplatnik after Hobday spilled a Ross shot.

And in injury time, Connolly finished the home side off by curling a left-footer into the corner of the net.

Dee boss Jamie Watt admitted he was disappointed with the way the game unfolded.

“It was always our plan to contain them and stay in the game then impose ourselves,” he said.

“It was going to plan and I didn’t think it should have been a free-kick.

“We had a go after that and showed character but it wasn’t to be.”