Match ends, Dunfermline Athletic 2, Ross County 2.
DunfermlineDunfermline2Ross CountyRoss County2
League One leaders Dunfermline held Premiership Ross County to a breathless Scottish Cup draw at East End Park.
Alex Schalk put the visitors ahead in the fourth round tie after being teed up by strike partner, Brian Graham.
A terrific strike from Faissal El Bakhtaoui levelled for the Dunfermline, before Brad McKay felled Schalk in the penalty box to concede a spot-kick, duly dispatched by Graham.
McKay redeemed himself by heading an equaliser for the Pars after the break.
County were shorn of strikers Craig Curran and Liam Boyce through concussion and a broken hand respectively, with Schalk and Graham proving more than able deputies, combining for both of the Highlanders' goals.
Schalk was laid-on by Graham to smash in his powerful opener in the first five minutes.
But El Bakhtaoui equalised brilliantly as he evaded challenges inside the box, continuing on his route to goal in spite of defending that may have won him a penalty, and slotting beyond Scott Fox.
In an end-to-end encounter, County were soon ahead again, when McKay dived in unnecessarily on Schalk, and was adjudge to have fouled the striker.
After Graham netted from the spot, the Pars piled on the pressure with a series of corners, but could not draw level before half-time.
McKay, on loan from St Johnstone, did make one of those corners count shortly after the break with his headed effort beating Fox.
Michael Paton ought to have nudged Dunfermline ahead for the first time when the ball ricocheted into his path in the box, but he directed his effort straight at the County stopper.
Michael Gardyne too might have done better with a left-foot effort in the closing stages, although the ball appeared to bobble before the midfielder let fly.
And in the dying minutes, El Bakhtaoui saw another fine individual effort clatter downwards off the crossbar before it was cleared from the goalmouth.
Line-ups
Dunfermline
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Murdoch
- 2Rooney
- 4McKayBooked at 26mins
- 5Richards-Everton
- 3Talbot
- 7Paton
- 6Geggan
- 8Falkingham
- 11Cardle
- 9Moffat
- 10El Bakhtaoui
Substitutes
- 12Hopkirk
- 14Byrne
- 15Potter
- 16Wallace
- 17McCabe
- 18Antoine-Curier
- 20Gill
Ross County
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Fox
- 2FraserSubstituted forFosterat 62'minutes
- 5BoydBooked at 36mins
- 15Davies
- 3Reckord
- 7Gardyne
- 26WoodsBooked at 63mins
- 36Irvine
- 24De VitaSubstituted forFranksat 62'minutes
- 9Graham
- 23SchalkSubstituted forMcShaneat 73'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Robertson
- 8McShane
- 12Foster
- 17Franks
- 18Murdoch
- 21Woods
- 53Morrison
- Referee:
- Alan Muir
- Attendance:
- 3,439
Match Stats
Home TeamDunfermlineAway TeamRoss County
- Possession
- Home47%
- Away53%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home6
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Dunfermline Athletic 2, Ross County 2.
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Foul by Brian Graham (Ross County).
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Shaun Rooney (Dunfermline Athletic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Faissal El Bakhtaoui (Dunfermline Athletic) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box.
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Foul by Andrew Davies (Ross County).
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Faissal El Bakhtaoui (Dunfermline Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Michael Gardyne (Ross County) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left.
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Brian Graham (Ross County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Shaun Rooney (Dunfermline Athletic).
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Andrew Davies (Ross County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Faissal El Bakhtaoui (Dunfermline Athletic).
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Foul by Michael Gardyne (Ross County).
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Josh Falkingham (Dunfermline Athletic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Attempt missed. Joe Cardle (Dunfermline Athletic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
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Andrew Davies (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Michael Moffat (Dunfermline Athletic).
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Corner, Ross County. Conceded by Shaun Rooney.
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Attempt missed. Michael Gardyne (Ross County) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right.
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Attempt saved. Joe Cardle (Dunfermline Athletic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
