Scottish Cup: Pars out; Stranraer make fifth round

Stranraer manager Stephen Aitken and his players enhanced their growing reputations further when they saw off Dunfermline 3-1 at East End Park in last night’s replay to net a home tie with Dundee United in the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Sean Winter, left, celebrates after giving Stranraer the lead at East End Park last night. Picture: SNS

The Stair Park men threatened first when Grant Gallagher fizzed an effort wide and then Craig Pettigrew saw his shot deflected over for a corner with the hosts coming close on 18 minutes when Gregor Buchanan headed a Ross Millen flag kick against the bar.

A goal did arrive 14 minutes later when the visitors’ Jackson Longridge, who had been linked with Hibs earlier in the day, teed up Sean Winter to crash a shot home from the edge of the box.

Stranraer almost doubled their lead just after the restart when Craig Malcolm sent the ball across Ryan Scully’s goal, but Stephen Stirling just failed to connect with it.

A second Stranraer goal did arrive on 57 minutes when Stirling did get a touch to a Grant Gallagher cross from close range.

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However, Dunfermline hit back five minutes later from the penalty spot. McKeown pushed Buchanan over and Millen netted from 12 yards to set up an exciting finale with the outcome settled in the final minute when substitute Barry Russell broke away to set up fellow replacement Jamie Longworth to net.

Brechin City secured a trip to Falkirk with a 4-2 victory over Annan Athletic.

The Glebe Park men made a great start when Andy Jackson met a cross from Ewan McNeil to score after just four minutes and the striker netted again sseven minutes later when he drilled home from the edge of the box. His hat-trick was completed after just 27 minutes when Bobby Barr picked him out and he tucked the ball past Alex Mitchell from six yards.

Annan got a goal back midway through the second half when substitute Scott Davidson shot home with his first touch, but Colin Hamilton restored the three-goal advantage on 72 minutes.

Annan gained further consolation when David Hopkirk’s shot from a tight angle found the net, but Brechin saw things out.

Berwick Rangers squeezed past Albion Rovers to secure their berth against giant-killers Spartans thanks to Andy Russell’s late goal in a 1-0 Cliftonhill success.

Colin Cameron’s side had a great chance on 17 minutes through Darren Lavery, but from six yards he blazed over the bar.

The Borderers came close again just before half time when Lee Currie let fly from 20 yards, but his effort flashed past.

Rovers goalkeeper Neil Parry tipped a Paul Willis effort onto the bar just before the hour and Marc McKenzie rattled the woodwork for the Coatbridge side with 20 minutes left.

Russell won the tie when Ross Gray created the opening for him to fire home from close range. The hosts ending with ten men after Josh Mullin received his second booking.

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