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BLACKBURN UNITED .......... 1 LINLITHGOW ROSE .............. 5

Linlithgow Rose proved too strong for Blackburn United as the visitors picked up their first League Cup group win on Tuesday night.

Gordon Herd’s side controlled much of the play in an impressive first half display but didn’t open the scoring until the 24th minute when Gary Thom thundered a header home from a Mark Stowe corner-kick.

Stowe, who had earlier rattled the post with a wonderful strike from 30 yards, would add the Rose’s second just three minutes later when he raced on to a Daniel Baur long ball and executed a deft lob over Gavin King in the United goal.

Jack Ogilvie slotted home Linlithgow’s third just before the break.

Looking for a way back into the game United were denied a stonewall penalty midway through the second half before finally being awarded one 11 minutes from time when David Howe was brought down.

Laurie Devine rolled home the spot-kick but it wouldn’t bring about a frantic fightback as substitute Alan Sneddon netted twice late on for the away side to seal the win.

The loss all but ends Blackburn’s hopes of qualifying from the group stage.