City grieve as Threave end hopes of a hat-trick

City had come from behind to lead 2-1 at half time thanks to a Dougie Gair brace, but the reigning South of Scotland League Champions from Dumfriesshire struck back in merciless fashion in the second half, with three impressive finishes - including two inside a minute.

"I didn't think they had many chances throughout the match," said deflated Edinburgh City joint manager Gary Jardine, "but they came up with some clinical finishing which was what made the difference.

"We had one very good chance just before half time but never took it, then another just before Threave scored their second to draw level. We're scoring goals, but that's no consolation when we're conceding the number we have been. Conceding has been a problem for us, and we're not going to win a game if we let in four goals."

Having once again been handed a home fixture against non-league opposition (Highland League side Clachnacuddin were defeated in the first round at Meadowbank last month), City looked, on paper at least, to have been handed a favourable assignment.

However, the Castle Douglas side, who were handed a bye into the second round as South of Scotland League Champions, could in no way be underestimated. Unbeaten in the South of Scotland League this season and with 37 goals from eight matches to their name, they were always going to pose a threat in front of goal.

True to form, the play flowed from end to end in the early stages as both teams made an attacking start. It was City, however, who created most of the chances, with Shaun Harrison producing three fantastic crosses in the opening ten minutes which could easily have produced a goal. As it was, two deliveries were headed high over the target while Joe Dingwall sent a rasping shot a yard wide.

Threave took the lead in the 17th minute. City had failed to deal with a corner, the ball only going as far as Liam Patterson, who side-footed home from ten yards. City were back level in the 36th minute when Threave keeper Vinnie Parker spilled an Andy Howat cross, allowing Gair to mop up at the back post.

Just two minutes later, City were in the lead. No fewer than 21 players were in the City half for a corner but, when the Threave attack broke down, Gair was able to collect the ball inside his own half and run a full 60 yards towards the goal with no one but the goalkeeper between him and the goal. Gair kept his composure to round Parker and tuck the ball home.

Having taken the lead, City were in full command up to the break and could easily have added to their tally.

A Ross Guthrie strike was cleared off the line in the 42nd minute as Rovers tried to contain the hosts.

City were stung ten minutes after the restart, however, when the defence was opened up by a looping Scott Wilby cross. Andrew Donley headed home from eight yards to bring the scores level.

Barely a minute later, Sam Warren produced a thundering volley from 25 yards out which cracked off the crossbar and landed in the net to give Rovers the lead once again.

The stunning strike was a severe blow to City, who began to search once again for a way back into the match, but looked rocked by the sudden turnaround.

James Baty made the home side's challenge even harder with a well-taken strike in the 70th minute, and although City did have chances to pull a goal back, they just could not find the net in the second half, unlike the visitors. Peter Stenhouse and Euan Black both skied decent chances from close range as City's Scottish Cup hopes faded away.

"I gave our players a real volley at half time, because I knew we could play better," said Threave boss David McVittie. "It was always going to be a tough game coming here and we're looking for a home draw in the next round."

Edinburgh City: Stobie, Harrison, Dingwall, McNamara, Bruce, McFarland, Moonie (Stenhouse 69) Gair, Howat, Guthrie (Black 81) Vinelli (Wilson 79). Subs: Vanson, MacKintosh.

Threave Rovers: Parker, Wilby, Kerr, Patterson, Fingland, Struthers, Baty (Irons 90), Dinlingson, Donley (P Middlesmiss, 90), Milligan (Cook 79), Warren. Subs: G Middlemiss, Benson

Edinburgh City 2

Threave Rovers 4