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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Glasgow University 1 Albion Rovers 4: Scottish Cup scare for Rovers as they need extra-time to see off students

Albion Rovers were given a Scottish Cup scare as they needed extra-time to see off plucky Glasgow University.

League Two Rovers have been used to getting one over Monklands rivals Airdrieonians at New Broomfield down the years, but on this occasion it was the defeat of Glasgow Uni they enjoyed in Airdrie - but only just.

The West of Scotland League Second Division outfit, who play their home games at the Diamonds' ground, pushed League Two's bottom side all the way and can hold their heads high after Cameron Murray's second half header cancelled out Callum Wilson's opener for Rovers to force extra-time.

In the end, a Charlie Reilly penalty and an Amaury Testa strike either side of the break in extra-time and a Tom Reid own goal ensured Rovers avoided a shock exit.

And for Rovers, who needed a replay at this stage last season to dispatch Highland League Brora Rangers, there will be an overwhelming feeling of relief after booking their place in Monday's third round draw.

Rovers made two changes from last week’s 1-1 draw at Dumbarton as Max Wright and Michael Paton came in at the expesne of Kieran Dolan and Ewan Wilson.

It was the Students who got the first real sight of goal in 13 minutes. Jonny Baxter got the better of Liam Fagan and cut inside to curl a strike towards the far corner, but his effort drifted wide of Jack Leighfield's far post.

With 20 minutes on the clock Rovers found themselves in front. Charlie Reilly collected the ball on the edge of the Uni penalty area and his neat pass slipped in Wilson. He took a touch and fired a fierce strike through the hands of Uni keeper Ben Fulton, who will feel he should have done better at his near post.

That put a string in Rovers' step and they came close to adding a second moments later when Wright's crossed picked out Jamie Leslie, but he couldn't keep his effort on target.

Michael Paton's clever pass inside the box then teed up Wilson for an opportunity to bag his second of the day, only for him to skew his strike well wide of the target from a good position 12 yards out.

The visitors continued to dominate and a lovely worked move inside the Uni box presented a great chance for Wright in the 39th minute. He fired at goal and when Fulton got a hand to it, a back-tracking defender came to the rescue to clear the ball off the line and prevent them falling 2-0 behind.

Half-time arrived with Rovers in front and feeling like they should have been further ahead - and that failure came back to bite them three minutes into the second half when Uni equalised.

A lofted ball towards the far post from Calum Davidson picked out Cameron Murray at the far post. His header back across goal looked like it wouldn't cause Leighfield too much trouble but the ball looped over his reach and bounced just over the line before Rovers could get the ball clear. Just like that it, was game on again.

Rovers responded well and came close to regaining the lead in the 63rd minute when Wilson's volley from Adam Fernie's cross was superbly saved by Fulton from close range.

A triple switch after 66 minutes from boss Brian Reid - introducing Barry Duncan, Amaury Testa and Scott Roberts for Wright, Kyle Fleming and Michael Paton - saw Rovers attempt to turn the screw.

Albion Rovers boss Brian Reid (DAILY RECORD)

However, Uni were still a threat and a minute later Murray was a whisker way from getting on the end of Jonny Baxter's cross to the back post and Rovers breathed a sigh of relief.

Uni keeper Fulton denied the visitors again in the 72nd minute when he made a good low stop to prevent Wilson netting from an incisive Reilly pass.

The chances kept coming and a Duncan free-kick from 25 yards whistled past the post as Fulton scurried across to his near post, before he then thwarted Wilson yet again with a good stop six yards out.

In the 89th minute Rovers were claiming for a penalty when Reilly burst into the box and went down under pressure but referee Colin Whyte wasn't interested.

Still Rovers kept pushing and only a tremendous last-ditch block from Tom Reid denied Scott Roberts a certain winner in normal time.

In the additional period, Rovers' pressure eventual told 12 minutes into the first half when Fulton took out Wilson when he got on the end of Calum Davidson's through ball. Reilly stepped up and dispatched the spot kic down the middle to send Rovers on their way.

Rovers star Charlie Reilly was on target (Stuart Vance/ReachPlc)

Just one minute into the second half Reilly turned provider when his cross across the face of goal was turned hom by the sliding effort from substitute Testa.

And Uni's extra-time misery was complete when Tom Reid turned the ball into his own net seven minutes from time.

Rovers are back in league action next weekend when the.y host Stenhousemuir.

GLASGOW UNI: Fulton, Adams (Lubin 108), Smith, Reid, Milne, Davidson (Duffy 108), Sisi, Atkinson (Devanney 113), Murray (Ferrie-Adrover 103), Wight (Strang 84), Baxter (McKinlay 103).

Scorers: Murray 48

Bookings: Reid, Atkinson, Smith, Adams

Subs not used: McKinlay, Webster, Gilmour, Paul.

ALBION ROVERS: Leighfield, Fagan (Fernie 43), Sonkur, Graham, Malcolm, Fleming (Duncan 66), C Wilson (McColl 114), Leslie, Paton (Testa 67), Reilly (Dolan 115), Wright (Roberts 67).

Scorers: C Wilson 20, Reilly 102 (pen), Testa 106, Reid 113 (og)

Bookings: Malcolm, Paton, C Wilson, Fernie

Subs not used: Smith.

Ref: Colin Whyte

HT: 0-1

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