Match ends, Linlithgow Rose 0, Raith Rovers 2.
Linlithgow Rose 0-2 Raith Rovers
- From the section Football
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Raith Rovers endured a testing first-half before finding two goals to wipe out Linlithgow Rose's Scottish Cup dream.
Calum Smith, Colin Strickland and Roddy Maclennan all made Rovers keeper David McGurn work early on at Prestonfield.
But Raith withstood the pressure and Ryan Conroy's second-half penalty put them on course for the win.
Paul Watson's emphatic header ensured that the Championship side would enter Monday's fourth-round draw.
Having tasted success in the Challenge Cup under Grant Murray last season, the Kirkcaldy side will be keen to make their mark on Scotland's oldest cup tournament.
But if McGurn's talents had not been up to scratch and Linlithgow's finishing had been, it might have been a different story in front of over 2,000 fans.
Former Clyde midfielder Maclennan flashed one shot across goal before firing another low strike just wide of the post as Danny Smith's 'Rosey Posey' immediately showed their mettle.
Smith then made a brilliant run from the centre of the park and forced McGurn into a diving save.
And the 34-year-old's experience was required once again when Strickland's excellent free-kick looked destined for the far corner.
Unfortunately the hosts struggled to muster the same type of clear-cut chances after the break and it was the visitors who took the lead.
Linlithgow defender Gary Thom impeded Mark Stewart's run into the box and referee John McKendrick correctly pointed to the spot.
Conroy took over from there, stepping up to steer his fifth goal of the season into the bottom right corner beyond Rose goalkeeper Michael McKinven.
The set piece delivery of substitute Lewis Vaughan helped Rovers make the result safe, whipping in a corner for Watson to bullet home from the middle of the box.
Line-ups
Linlithgow Rose
- 1McKinven
- 2ThomSubstituted forKelbieat 85'minutes
- 4O'Byrne
- 5OvenstoneBooked at 70mins
- 3McKillen
- 7Smith
- 8Batchelor
- 11MacLennan
- 6NelsonSubstituted forShirraat 88'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 10Coyne
- 9Strickland
Substitutes
- 12Kelbie
- 14Kelly
- 15Tyrrell
- 16Shirra
- 17MacLennan
- 18Mcgown
- 19Christie
Raith Rovers
- 20McGurn
- 2Thomson
- 4Watson
- 3PerryBooked at 50mins
- 23McKeown
- 7Anderson
- 6Fox
- 11ScottBooked at 90mins
- 14ConroySubstituted forMoonat 78'minutes
- 9StewartSubstituted forVaughanat 73'minutes
- 10Elliot
Substitutes
- 5Hill
- 8Moon
- 12Callachan
- 16Vaughan
- 17Laidlaw
- 19McKay
- 31Matthews
- Referee:
- John McKendrick
- Attendance:
- 2,250
Match Stats
Home TeamLinlithgow RoseAway TeamRaith Rovers
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away5
- Corners
- Home7
- Away11
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away17
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Linlithgow Rose 0, Raith Rovers 2.
Booking
Martin Scott (Raith Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Andrew Shirra (Linlithgow Rose) is shown the yellow card.
Corner, Raith Rovers. Conceded by Richard McKillen.
Colin Strickland (Linlithgow Rose) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Paul Watson (Raith Rovers).
Substitution
Substitution, Linlithgow Rose. Andrew Shirra replaces Adam Nelson.
Attempt missed. Paul Watson (Raith Rovers) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left following a corner.
Corner, Raith Rovers. Conceded by Richard McKillen.
Attempt missed. Calum Elliot (Raith Rovers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Goal!
Goal! Linlithgow Rose 0, Raith Rovers 2. Paul Watson (Raith Rovers) header from very close range to the bottom right corner following a corner.
Corner, Raith Rovers. Conceded by John Ovenstone.
Substitution
Substitution, Linlithgow Rose. Kevin Kelbie replaces Gary Thom.
Foul by Adam Nelson (Linlithgow Rose).
Kevin Moon (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Roddy MacLennan (Linlithgow Rose) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Kevin Moon (Raith Rovers).
Attempt blocked. Thomas Coyne (Linlithgow Rose) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
John Ovenstone (Linlithgow Rose) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Lewis Vaughan (Raith Rovers).
Substitution
Substitution, Raith Rovers. Kevin Moon replaces Ryan Conroy because of an injury.
Attempt missed. Gary Thom (Linlithgow Rose) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Adam Nelson (Linlithgow Rose) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Liam Fox (Raith Rovers).
Attempt missed. Calum Smith (Linlithgow Rose) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Corner, Linlithgow Rose. Conceded by Grant Anderson.
Substitution
Substitution, Raith Rovers. Lewis Vaughan replaces Mark Stewart.
Dougie Hill (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Colin Strickland (Linlithgow Rose).
Foul by Roddy MacLennan (Linlithgow Rose).
Calum Elliot (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Booking
John Ovenstone (Linlithgow Rose) is shown the yellow card.
Foul by Gary Thom (Linlithgow Rose).
Calum Elliot (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Linlithgow Rose 0, Raith Rovers 1. Ryan Conroy (Raith Rovers) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Penalty conceded by Gary Thom (Linlithgow Rose) after a foul in the penalty area.
Penalty Raith Rovers. Mark Stewart draws a foul in the penalty area.
Foul by Mick O'Byrne (Linlithgow Rose).
Calum Elliot (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick on the right wing.