Scottish Cup roundup: Ross County hit goal trail again on road to Hampden

First Division leaders Ross County evoked memories of their 2010 Scottish Cup run all the way to the final when they defeated Second Division Stenhousemuir 7-0 on Saturday.

Two years ago the Dingwall outfit thumped Stirling Albion 9-0 on their road to Hampden and the only consolation that the Warriors can take from this tie is that they did not fare quite so badly.

Iain Vigurs bundled the ball home after just five minutes, but the Ochilview side stayed in touch until seven minutes into the second-half, when Richard Brittain converted a penalty after he had been fouled by Ross McMillan, with the defender sent off for his troubles.

Michael Gardyne curled in the third, Steven Craig grabbed his first goal since completing his eight-game suspension and Vigurs added his second and his side’s fifth with a floated free kick.

Substitute Kurtis Byrne converted twice in the last three minutes to complete the scoring with manager Derek Adams saying, “We got to the final a couple of years ago with a similar performance helping us along the way. Our aim has to be to do the same again.”

Queen of the South won their first Scottish Cup tie since their final appearance against Rangers in 2008 when they sneaked away from Firhill with a 1-0 success over Partick Thistle thanks to Danny Carmichael’s last-gasp goal.

The Dumfries men, who sit bottom of the First Division, were on the back foot for the majority of the first-half with Thistle going close with a Kris Doolan header and a low Paul Cairney drive that flashed a couple of feet wide.

Ayr’s reputation as Cup specialists grew further when they defeated hosts Livingston 2-1 with their winner worthy of gracing the final at Hampden.

Andy Geggan scrambling in the opening goal six minutes before the break, but the Lions responded before half-time when a Mark Fotheringham corner caused confusion in the visiting box and Marc McNulty guided the ball home.

The winner came on 52 minutes in fine fashion when the visiting Michael McGowan slalomed his way down the right wing before finishing with a fierce drive from a tight angle.

In the other all-First Division clash Morton came from behind to defeat Raith Rovers 2-1 at Stark’s Park. The Kirkcaldy side gave a debut to Argentine striker Damian Casalinuvo and his pass and subsequent flick from Iain Williamson saw John Baird tripped as he raced into the Morton box on 37 minutes. Baird’s spot-kick was saved but Pat Clarke followed up to net the rebound.

Morton equalised midway through the second-half when Archie Campbell ran on to a precise through ball from substitute Peter MacDonald to score with a low drive. MacDonald grabbed the winner 14 minutes from time from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Grant Murray.

Falkirk saw off Second Division East Fife 2-0. Defender Darren Dods shot home as a corner in seven minutes bobbled about the box with the sought-after Farid El Alagui heading home the second midway through the opening half to send the Bairns into today’s draw.