Stranraer 4 - 3 Stenhousemuir: Stranraer set up Motherwell tie meeting

Published on Tuesday 25 January 2011 17:44

PAUL Murphy went fromsinner-to-saint as Stranraer came from behind to beat Stenhousemuir in a pulsating fourth round replay at Stair Park.

Murphy's second-half effort helped the Blues book a fifth round showdown with Motherwell after his first-half error helped the Warriors draw level just before the interval. It was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Scott Dalziel picked up an inch-perfect crossfield pass from Stevie Murray before drilling home a long-range drive. But it took the home side two minutes to level when the Warriors defence only managed to half-clear a powerful drive from Danny Mitchell and substitute Armand One was on hand to side foot home the equaliser from 15 yards.

However the game burst into action with two goals inside a frantic final 60 seconds of the half. Craig Malcolm was quick off the mark to slot the ball home following up after Sean Winter had crashed an effort off the inside of the visitor's woodwork.

Unfortunately the lead only lasted a matter of seconds when Blues defender Murphy sliced a Murray free-kick off team-mate Declan Gallagher into his own net. The excitement didn't end there and three minutes into the second half Stranraer regained the lead when Murphy cashed in on some slack defending to header home a Scott Agnew corner un-marked at the back post. Stuart McColm and Malcolm went close to adding to the home side's lead when they struck the crossbar in close succession. Armand One settled the affair in the 74th minute when he cashed in on a flat-footed Warriors defence to power home another dangerous Agnew corner-kick. The home side had a late scare when Ross Clark drilled home an 89th minute penalty but the Blues held on.

Stranraer: David Mitchell, Gallagher, Murphy (Glen Mitchell 77), Declan Gallacher, Noble, Agnew, Daniel Mitchell, Winter (McColm 55), Nicoll, Malcolm, Moore (One 8). Subs Not Used: Marshall, Sharp.

Stenhousemuir: Stenhousemuir: McCluskey, Lyle, Thom, Smith, Dickson, Anderson (Quinn 84), Hunter, Clark, Murray, Williams (Plenderleith 67), Dalziel. Subs Not Used: Brown, Motion, Scuillion.