Unstoppable McLennan volley sees Rose force replay

SPIRITS may have been low in the Bathgate dressing room after a last-gasp equaliser denied them a win on Saturday but manager Graeme Love insists his side can still progress to the semi-finals of the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup.

Jim Lister looked to have settled what, in truth, was a disappointing clash, the striker slotting past the advancing Steven Pinkowski with only seven minutes to go to send the Bathgate players, officials and fans wild with delight.

But, deep into injury-time, a ball into the box from Gordon Herd picked out Roddy McLennan at the back post and the former Clyde winger rattled a volley past Andy Carlin to earn a replay back at Prestonfield this Saturday.

"I've got work to do at training this week as the boys are gutted," admitted Love. "They're upset they didn't win but a draw was probably a fair result.

"I felt we didn't turn up in the first-half and even though we played better in the second-half and started to create a lot more, the positive thing from our point of view is that we are still in the Scottish Cup despite the fact we didn't perform anywhere near our best.

"We also know that we have beaten Linlithgow at their place already this season and, as I was watching this game, I found myself asking myself what more could they bring to the table. Apart from a few wee things, I felt we dealt with them pretty well."

Bathgate also enjoyed a bit of luck early on in the game as Linlithgow, who were playing their third Scottish Cup tie on the trot after needing a replay to see off Whitletts Victoria in the previous round, made the livelier start.

Mark Tyrell, who scored from dead-ball situations in both those games against the Ayrshire side, hit Carlin's left-hand post with a free-kick after just nine minutes before the same piece of woodwork came to Bathgate's rescue again midway through the half.

A Colin McMenamin shot broke to Tommy Coyne in the box but his effort smacked against the post, at which point Linlithgow boss Dave Baikie must have been starting to wonder if it was going to be one of those days for his side.

In between those efforts, Carlin had also made saves from Coyne and McLennan and it would have been cruel on the visitors if Bathgate had taken the lead with their first chance of the game in the 21st minute.

Following a foul on Lister just outside the box, Brian McColligan produced a free-kick that matched Tyrell's earlier effort and Pinkowski did well to tip the ball over the bar. Pinkowski produced an even better save to deny Bathgate just before the break, touching a thunderous right-foot drive from Graeme McLaren on to the bar after the winger had cut in from the left and tried his luck from well outside the box.

Martin Jack, Bathgate's recent signing from Stranraer, forced another save out of the visiting goalkeeper early in the second-half before Lister sent a left-foot shot wide as Bathgate started to gain the ascendancy.

With almost his first touch, Linlithgow substitute Stephen Manson had a stinging effort tipped over by Carlin before the deadlock was finally broken in the 83rd minute.

In truth, Lister had one of his quieter games but, not for the first time in his career, the bustling striker showed he only needs one real chance to make his mark on a game as he fired past Pinkowski.

Seconds later, Herd was unable to direct a header on target at the other end before Manson had a shot saved by Carlin. But, with virtually their last throw of the dice, Linlithgow earned a second bite at the cherry thanks to McLennan's unstoppable strike.

"We are relieved to still be in the Cup and, in the circumstances, it probably feels like a win," admitted Baikie. "I felt we dominated the game for the first 20-30 minutes and created a lot of chances.

"We hit the post twice and Andy Carlin, who is a really good goalkeeper, made some great saves. Overall, I think we made the more chances in the game."

Like his counterpart, Baikie is still confident he can be the man in charge of a team in this season's semi-finals, adding: "There's a good unity at the club. Some of them are still not 100 per cent fit but they work hard as a team."

Bathgate: Carlin, Wilson, Neill, Hunter, Easton, McColligan, Lurinsky, F Love (Payne 55), Lister (sub: Fallon 90), Jack, McLaren. Subs: Blaney, Riley, G Love, McCafferty.

Linlithgow: Pinkowski, Tyrell, Virgili, Ward, Wilson, Donnelly, McMenamin, Smith (Manson 63), Coyne, Herd, McLennan. Subs: Bradley, McDermott, Livingstone, McArthur.