Dunfermline 1 - 3 Inverness CT (AET): Chris Smith the fall guy again as Inverness bag Celtic cup tie

EXTRA-time goals from Andrew Shinnie and Greg Tansey extinguished Dunfermline’s Scottish Cup hopes, and might well have caused Neil Lennon’s heart to sink.

Celtic have now been handed another appointment in the Highlands against a side who have been regular thorns in their side in recent years.

The knowledge that a home clash against the holders awaited the winners meant there was little surprise when these teams took their fourth round tie all the way to extra-time. Dunfermline and Inverness Caledonian Thistle could not be prised apart after another 90 minutes of cup action but a goal of quality from former Rangers player Shinnie, just three minutes into extra-time, put the visitors in front for the first time in the tie. The substitute fired a shot in off the post from the edge of the box.

Greg Tansey sealed things five minutes into the second period of extra time with a fine finish. It left Dunfermline fans howling their frustration after they had watched their side succumb to another self-inflicted wound. Inverness were the glad recipients of another gift of an equaliser following a mix-up between home goalkeeper Chris Smith and centre-half Kevin Rutkiewicz.

Smith saw his clearance from the edge of the box hit the defender and give Jonny Hayes the simplest task of scoring. The striker feigned a stifled laugh in celebration as Dunfermline again made life difficult for themselves. The equaliser, just ten minutes into the second-half, cancelled out Andy Barrowman’s 39th minute header. Smith did well to recover from another unhappy episode in his recent Dunfermline career and could do little about Inverness’ decisive second and third goals.

This game had been billed as a tale of two goalkeepers, with Smith condemned to operate under the fiercest scrutiny. A series of high profile blunders - including a disastrous, game-changing one in the first cup match against last night’s opponents - saw him dislodged from his first-team place. Iain Turner, brought in on loan from Preston North End, has quickly installed himself in the first XI but was ineligible for last night’s Scottish Cup game, which meant all eyes were on a surely anxious Smith. His opposite number wasn’t without something to prove either. Jonny Tuffey’s error in the first game had handed Dunfermline the lead and he was called into action swiftly last night after David Graham’s lobbed pass into the path of Barrowman.

The tall striker was left with only the ‘keeper to beat but the angle proved kind to Tuffey, who was able to make a firm block. Barrowman knew he should have done better, however. The chance grew in significance as a poor game wore on into the brisk night. However, Barrowman was handed the chance to make amends after 39 minutes following good work from Joe Cardle, who did well to beat Thomas Piermayr on the flank. Cardle’s cross to the back post found Barrowman, who headed powerfully down into the net.

Dunfermline’s task was to hang on to their lead, and, ideally, extend it. It had proved beyond them in the first game in Inverness earlier this month, when Smith’s horrendous mistake cost them at the death. Agonisingly for Smith, the goalkeeper was again heavily implicated in the concession of an equaliser, although this time he had to cope with the mental anguish for almost an entire half. Just ten minutes after half time yet another calamity befell the ‘keeper, though whether he was to blame is an argument that is set to be a prolonged one. Alex Keddie’s poor header back, after Golabart’s long clearance, was the reason Smith was put under pressure at all, and miscommunication between the ‘keeper and Rutkiewicz, meant Hayes was given the chance to roll the ball into the empty net.

Smith had succeeded only in cannoning the ball off Rutkiewicz, and another traumatic chapter was written in his disastrous season. Smith and Rutkiewicz argued between themselves but it was clear who had most to lose from the incident. The away fans cheered Smith’s name to the rafters. Unbelievably, the ‘keeper then almost conceded an own goal after Gregory Tade had left Rutkiewicz standing after a strong run down the left flank. His eventual cross struck Smith on the legs, but fortune, for once, favoured the ‘keeper, and the ball went out for a corner rather than nestled in the net. Team-mates arguing amongst themselves was the theme of the night. Richie Foran and Hayes were both booked following a 75th minute flare-up which threatened to turn nast. Hayes, it seemed, had not reacted well to being criticised by his skipper for a poor cross.