Mark Stowe helped guide Linlithgow Rose into the fourth round of the South Challenge Cup thanks to a hat-trick in a 3-1 home win over Civil Service Strollers.
The Lowland League visitors started brightly and got themselves in front on 19 minutes - but not without some drama.
Strollers were awarded a penalty after Cammy Thomson had clipped Robbie Cole with striker Alieau Faye trying to wrestle the ball off team-mate Marc Laird. Faye was promptly substituted before Laird sent Lewis McMinn the wrong way.
Linlithgow’s reply was almost immediate as Stowe levelled things up when his free-kick out on the right beat everyone and nestled into the far corner.
They went ahead eight minutes before the interval as tremendous work down the left flank saw Jack Ogilvie turn Arnie Kasa inside out before firing across goal for Stowe to tap home at the back post.
The away side almost equalised early in the second-half but Greg Skinner nodded a Matthew Shaw effort off the line before Stowe provided some breathing space on 67 minutes.
A deflected Connor McMullan effort fell into his path with the striker calmly slotting home his 27th goal of the season.
Sean Heaver and Sandy Cunningham both went close to extending the lead with fine efforts before the match descended into a battle out of nowhere.
Diste Camara was only shown a yellow card for an apparent head-butt while Kasa escaped red for an off the ball punch on Cunningham - with the Rose man ordered-off for his reaction.
Strollers did end the game with 10 men as goalscorer Laird received his marching orders for an elbow on Jamie Allan as the Rose earned a seventh straight win over Lowland League opposition.
A delighted Stowe said: “It’s always good to get on the scoresheet, never mind score three, so I’m buzzing.
“They’re a good side as well so it’s very good victory for us. Goals like the second one are the type I need to be scoring more of - poacher’s goals.
“I’m realising how to get into those positions and it’s something I’ve tried to work on. Guys like Alan Sneddon, I’m learning from him every training session and it feels like it’s paying off.”
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