Scottish Cup: First cut is the deepest for Culter

CULTER’S manager, Andy Gibson, sent his side out against Partick Thistle in their William Hill Scottish Cup third round replay at Firhill with a masterplan that involved keeping things tight, turning the home fans against their side then seeing what they could do to snatch a winning goal.

The game never panned out that way, as the Junior side lost a goal in less than 12 seconds before going down 4-0 as the Thistle players, who had been criticised by manager Jackie McNamara for failing to handle the tag of favourites against their north eastern opponents in last week’s 1-1 draw, showed that they were up for this one.

Thistle captain Alan Archibald launched the ball forward and Tommy Stewart flicked on for Christie Elliot to run on to and shoot home. His goal was timed at 11.25 seconds, just two behind the Scottish Cup record goal that Aberdeen’s John Hewitt set against Motherwell in 1982.

Hopes of a giant-killing performance took a further dent on 27 minutes, when Paul Cairney rounded John Farquhar to roll in Thistle’s second before being killed off two minutes later, when Cairney netted his second, this time with a low drive.

Culter must have feared they were in line for a mauling when Chris Erskine lobbed in Thistle’s fourth two minutes into the second half, however, the visitors were not beaten again despite Aaron Sinclair and Cairney hitting the woodwork.

McNamara said: “No player or manager wants to be on the wrong side of a shock, as you get reminded of it every year when the cup comes around. The players were not mentally strong enough last week, but they went out this week eager to make amends and they did so.”

Gibson said afterwards: “We put ourselves under pressure straight away, and there is no denial that Thistle were the much better team. Our big chance was last Saturday at Crombie Park but we missed a great chance in the last minute.”

In the all-SFL replays, Forfar saw off visitors Stranraer 3-0 to secure a meeting with Aberdeen at Station Park in round four.

After a goalless first-half, Greg Ross broke the deadlock half-way into the second period, with Chris Templeman and Graham Gibson ensuring a safe passage for Dick Campbell and his men.

Queen’s Park secured a trip to Fir Park to face Motherwell by seeing off Elgin City 3-1 at Hampden, with winger David Murray opening the scoring on 11 minutes with a first-time shot from 18 yards.

It was two just before half-time, when Craig Smith squeezed a shot home from the tightest of angles, and Elgin’s hopes looked to have been extinguished when goalkeeper Zander Clark hauled down Jamie Longworth 30 yards from goal and was dismissed.

Ross Jack’s troops rallied, and Craig Gunn slammed home.However, Queen’s Park’s place in round four was secured when Smith placed a low shot past substitute shot-stopper John Calder.