Scottish Cup round-up: Culter make the most of Spartans’ paper fail to earn Partick replay

AN ADMINISTRATIVE error handed Culter a place in the third round of the Scottish Cup but they showed it was not all about paperwork with a 1-1 draw against First Division Partick Thistle at Crombie Park.

Spartans will have cast an envious glance at the result given it was their error that gave the North Super League League side a reprieve.

Paul Cairney gave Partick a sixth-minute lead but Jackie McNamara’s side could not build on the excellent start. Ryan Stott, pictured right, cel;ebrating with team-mate Alan Youngson, equalised in the 19th minute after a Conrad Balatoni mistake and, for all their second-half pressure, the best Partick could muster was a free-kick from Cairney which almost brought the winner. The teams meet again on Saturday.

Keith also came close to an upset against Arbroath but eventually lost 1-0 to a last-minute penalty from Paul Sheerin.

Airdrie United produced a record 11-0 win over Gala Fairydean with Jamie Stevenson and John Boyle both helping themselves to hat-tricks. The Lanarkshire side took the lead when Paul Lovering calmly slotted home a penalty after Sean Lynch was fouled.

Lovering then set up the second when his cross was not dealt with and Boyle drilled the ball into the net. Stevenson then scored twice inside four minutes and Boyle came up with a cool finish to make it 5-0 before half-time.Stevenson completed his hat-trick early in the second half and, moments later, Willie McLaren added the seventh. Boyle made it eight after McLaren’s effort came off the post. A long-range shot from Lovering made it nine before Ryan Donnelly and Derek Holmes finished it off.

Elsewhere, there were hat-tricks for Michael Gardyne in Ross County’s 4-0 win over Albion Rovers, Paul Lawson also scoring, and Andy Rodgers in Stenhousemuir’s impressive 4-0 win over Annan Athletic after Stewart Kean had opened the scoring.

Marc McNulty also hit a treble as Livingston eased through 6-0 at Irvine Meadow, his goals all coming in the first half with Rory Boulding, Kenny Deuchar and Bobby Barr all adding goals.

Dundee beat Stirling Albion 2-1 at Forthbank with Ryan Conroy and Stevie Milne supplying the goals after Darren Smith had headed in an Alan Cook free-kick to give Stirling a 26th-minute lead.

Montrose twice came from behind at Somerset Park to earn a 2-2 draw with Ayr United, Terry Masson and Jamie Winter (penalty) counting for them and Stranraer had to rely on an 81st-minute goal from Frank McKeown to give them a 1-1 draw at home to Forfar Athletic.

Craig Molloy, Charlie King and Paul McManus were all on target as Brechin City beat Dumbarton 3-0 and on-loan Robert Ogleby scored twice as East Fife cruised to a 5-0 win over East Stirlingshire.

Morton eased through 5-1 at home to Deveronvale and Peterhead beat Inverurie Loco Works 4-2 to reach the fourth round.

Martin McBride scored a second half penalty to give Queen’s Park a 1-1 draw at Elgin City who led through Craig Gunn and Auchinleck Talbot came from behind to beat Vale of Leithen 3-1.