Football: Raith Rovers upbeat despite last-gasp Aberdeen leveller

Published on Monday 8 February 2010 10:17

RAITH ROVERS boss John McGlynn insisted today that his side can pull off a Scottish Cup replay shock after being just seconds away from dumping Aberdeen out of the competition at Stark's Park.

The First Division side more than held their own against the Dons and had stunned their visitors by racing into a first-half lead thanks to a top-drawer strike from Iain Williamson.

It looked like they would hold out and book their place in the quarter-finals, only for Mark McGhee's side to bag a last-gasp leveller in the final seconds of five minutes of injury time.

Gary McDonald's goal silenced the Rovers supporters, who will now have to travel to Pittodrie for the replay tomorrow week.

McGlynn said: "I think we all thought that we had won it, all of the players did. We had defended really well, we knew that they were going to have a lot of the ball and put us under pressure at times but I didn't really think that they created an awful lot.

"Second half we defended exceptionally well but then they got the break of the ball and it landed right at their player's feet. We are disappointed but we are not going to cut ourselves up about it. We have got to go up to Aberdeen now but, as far as I am concerned, the tie is still very much alive.

"It is advantage Aberdeen but it is still alive. They will be at home and maybe their crowd could be on their back a bit. We've got to rely on that. They've lost six games at home this season so we will go up there, give it our best shot and see where it takes us."

McGlynn had been surprised to see the fourth official add on five minutes of injury time but insisted that his side could not afford to switch off right until the final whistle. He said: "The referee reckoned there were three minutes for an injury to Laurie Ellis to add to the time for the substitutes. But we've all been there before. This is the Scottish Cup and you've got to play to the final whistle.

"Fortunately for Aberdeen, they have managed to sneak a goal. We have just got to deal with that and move on."

Rovers defender Mark Campbell was in inspired form, frustrating the Dons players with an outstanding display – as did keeper David McGurn who pulled off a brilliant stop inside the opening ten minutes to push past an effort from Darren Mackie.

With half an hour on the clock, Rovers hit the back of the net, and they did it in some style, Craig Wilson's cross only half cleared by Jerel Ifil and Williamson thundering it beyond Jamie Langfield from the edge of the box.

Gregory Tade was causing the Dons all sorts of problems down the right flank and McGurn was proving a stubborn obstacle, tipping over a looping effort from Mackie.

After the break, it was more of the same and only a stunning block from Jamie Langfield prevented Stephen Simmons from doubling Rovers' advantage.

However, Aberdeen hit back with a goal they barely deserved in the dying seconds when a ball in from the left somehow made it through a sea of legs.

It was helped on by the slightest of touches from Charlie Mulgrew to McDonald, who stabbed it home from close range.

It was a devastating blow for Rovers but McGlynn said: "I thought Mark and Grant Murray were immense in the centre of defence and I thought we defended well as a team too. I thought that Mark won every header really. He was solid at the back.

"Everyone at the club is very proud of the performance that the players put in. We have come a long way. We've just come up from the Second Division and to go to the last kick of the ball against Aberdeen speaks volumes for us."

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee was a relieved man at the final whistle but insisted that it would have been an injustice if his side had been knocked out.

McGhee felt that the Dons had given a decent account of themselves, despite audible frustration from the visiting supporters throughout the 90 minutes and said: "I was standing watching the game and I couldn't believe that we were losing. We did plenty throughout the game and in the first half I thought that their goal came against the run of play.

"I am thoroughly satisfied that the result was the least we deserved I am relieved to come out of this game 1-1 but I am not embarrassed by it. If we had lost, I wouldn't be able to explain it. I don't think our fans can be disappointed."