Match ends, Linlithgow Rose 0, Raith Rovers 2.
Linlithgow RoseLinlithgow Rose0Raith RoversRaith Rovers2
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
Formation 4-5-1
- 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
Formation 4-4-2
- 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
Post update
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.
Post update
Corner, Raith Rovers. Conceded by Richard McKillen.
Post update
Colin Strickland (Linlithgow Rose) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Paul Watson (Raith Rovers).
Substitution
Substitution, Linlithgow Rose. Andrew Shirra replaces Adam Nelson.
Post update
Attempt missed. Paul Watson (Raith Rovers) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Raith Rovers. Conceded by Richard McKillen.
Post update
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.
Post update
Corner, Raith Rovers. Conceded by John Ovenstone.
Substitution
Substitution, Linlithgow Rose. Kevin Kelbie replaces Gary Thom.
Post update
Foul by Adam Nelson (Linlithgow Rose).
Post update
Kevin Moon (Raith Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Roddy MacLennan (Linlithgow Rose) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Kevin Moon (Raith Rovers).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Thomas Coyne (Linlithgow Rose) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
John Ovenstone (Linlithgow Rose) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
