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Raith Rovers progressed to the fifth round of the Scottish cup on Sunday afternoon after ending Falkirk’s 18-match unbeaten home record with a 2-1 scoreline.  

Being only Barry Robson’s second game in charge, the new Rovers gaffer enacted six changes to the team sheet after a defeat to Ayr over two weeks prior. Paul Hanlon and Scott Brown both returned to the starting 11 from injury, with the duo joining Matthews, Doherty, and Pollock, who were also rotated into the lineup. 21-year-old striker, Aiden Marsh, was put straight in from the start after having just signed for the club two days earlier in a loan deal from Barnsley.  

Falkirk got the game underway, but it was Raith Rovers who had the livelier start out of the two teams. Marsh came close to a debut-goal early on, but was thwarted by Falkirk shot stopper, Nicky Hogwarth. Easton also had a chance to open the scoring shortly after, but his close-range attempt was comfortably held the keeper. For all of Raith’s effort’s, the score remained level.  

Falkirk grew into the match, but Raith kept up their pressing style with some quick one-touch football being played.  

A flurry of set-pieces made up the remainder of the half, with neither side able to capitalise before the half-time whistle.  

Falkirk made two changes at half-time with Ethan Ross and Alfredo Aygeman exiting the pitch in a change of tactics. Callumn Morrison and Calvin Miller took their places.  

Falkirk’s changes seemed to work as Falkirk started the second half well, but Raith weathered the storm. Robson decided to make some changes of his own around the 70th minute, with Brown and Pollock making way for Stanton and Mullin.  

Falkirk kept pilling the pressure on Raith’s goal, and got their chance after Stanton’s back pass to Dabrowski fell short. Ross Maciver collected the loose ball and passed off to Morrison who slotted home into an empty net. Raith were twelve minutes away from exiting the Scottish Cup.  

Time ticked on and Raith won a corner with four minutes to go. Falkirk failed to clear the resultant cross and the ball fell to Sam Stanton, who emphatically fired the ball into the net on the spin. Raith were back on level terms and extra time awaited.  

A penalty shoot-out was on everyone’s mind’s as extra time went on, but Raith found themselves with a chance as Mullin pounced on a rebound. His opponent, Sean Mackie, barged into the winger and all eyes went to the referee. Penalty Rovers.  

With twelve minutes of extra time remaining, Easton stepped up in front of the 1000 strong traveling support. The Rovers’ showman blasted the ball into the net – sending Raith fans into bedlam.   

Falkirk very nearly equalised after Miller collected the ball in the Raith box late on, but the resultant effort was blasted over the bar.  

Falkirk called their keeper up for a few. last-minute set pieces, but Raith held strong. The full-time whistle shortly after signalled their advance into the fifth round of the Scottish cup.  

Raith return to league duties next week and face some familiar opponents, with Falkirk now making the reverse trip to Starks Park this Saturday.  

 

Live Updates

0'
Welcome to today’s Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Gas cup tie Falkirk v Raith Rovers at Falkirk Stadium. It’s chilly but bright. Referee is Don Robertson assisted by Frank Connor and Gordon McCabe. Fourth official Euan Anderson.
0'
Falkirk get the game started - Raith shooting towards Falkirk fans this half
5'
Marsh with a pop just outside Falkirk box, Hogarth has to get a leg out to stop the shot
8'
Booking for MacIver as he holds back Easton in the middle of the park - Freekick Raith
9'
Booking for Pollock - foul on Ross
11'
Good play between Dick, Stevenson and Marsh as the latter takes the ball to the byline and cuts the ball back into the Falkirk box but Easton couldn’t capitalise
14'
Tait picks up a loose ball in midfield but a good challenge from Hanlon
16'
Donaldson for Falkirk has a soft shot and Nesbitt is on the edge of the box tries to connect too but Raith clear
17'
Marsh applies the pressure on Hogarth
18'
Freekick Falkirk after Easton fouls Ross on the halfway line
20'
Easton with the ball in the box, he tries to smash if home but is weak and Hogarth gets down to save
21'
Freekick Raith in their own box as Murray fouled when trying to head the ball clear
25'
Agyeman with a shot but ball is deflected and defended well by Liam Dick - Falkirk corner which is eventually cleared by Raith
31'
Freekick Falkirk on the halfway line after foul on Ross
33'
Raith break forward, Easton runs on and he sees Pollock to his right, passes, Pollock is in the box and has a pop but Hogarth gets down to stop the ball
35'
Challenge by Matthews in the middle of the park Stevenson and Easton have the ball in the final third by possession lost
37'
Good play between Liam Dick and Stevenson with the former getting himself into the Falkirk box and wins the corner
38'
From the corner ball played into the mix, it goes out as far as Brown who is then fouled - freekick Raith
39'
Ball floated to back post and cleared as far as Pollock who has a pop from 25 yards out, Hogarth gets down to save
41'
Liam Dick does well to get the ball from Agyeman to stop the play going forward
42'
Fantastic play from Marsh as he steals the ball from Spencer
44'
Mackie tries to get a cross in but it hits off Doherty- corner Falkirk
45'
Half time- Falkirk 0 Raith 0 - very positive first half from Raith
45'
Raith get the second half underway
45'
Falkirk have made two half time substitutions - off go Agyeman and Ross and on come Morrison and Miller
47'
Marsh with a cross into the Falkirk box but Hogarth comes out to gather
48'
Great header from Hanlon to stop the Falkirk threat in the Raith box
50'
Tait with the ball just outside the D and sklaffs the ball
51'
From a Falkirk corner ball into the mix but comes to nothing
54'
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Booking for Matthews - Falkirk free kick approx 25 yards out main stand side
56'
Ball floated in by Miller but comfortably gathered by Dabrowski
57'
Falkirk corner - ball played to the centre and Dabrowski punches down and cleared by Raith. Ball is played in again and Dabrowski collects
61'
Miller with a cross into the box and Doherty has to head out for a Falkirk corner
62'
Ball played short by Falkirk from the corner and the play ends with Tait with a long ball out for a goal kick
63'
Good play between Stevenson, Easton and Marsh with Easton threading the ball through to Marsh but Hogarth gets down to smother the ball
66'
Corner Falkirk - ball played to the centre and Brown heads clear
68'
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Raith sub off Pollock and bring on Mullin
70'
Freekick Raith deep on their half after a foul on Liam Dick
71'
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Raith sub off Brown and bring on Stanton
72'
Reactionary save from Dabrowski
73'
Mullin does well to run the ball upfield passes to Marsh who is the box but can’t do anything ball falls to Easton but he’s fould in the edge of the D - Freekick Raith
75'
Easton takes the freekick it looks like it’s going to burst the back of the net but ball just wide
76'
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Booking for Murray, freekick Falkirk approx 22 yards out gantry side
77'
Falkirk waste the freekick opportunity
78'
⚽️
Falkirk score - Morrison
81'
Falkirk corner ball played in the mix and Raith head clear
84'
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Number of substitutions Falkirk take off MacIver and bring on McKenna
84'
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Raith sub off Marsh and Murray and bring on Montagu and Connolly
85'
GOOAALLLL IT’S SUUUPPPEEER SAAAMMM STANTON
88'
Morrison for Falkirk has a pop and Dabrowski palm saves
90'
Freekick Raith after a foul in Easton
91'
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Falkirk sub off Nesbitt and bring on Stewart
91'
An opportunity missed for Raith right in front of goal
94'
Freekick Raith deep in Falkirk half main stand side after a foul on Easton
94'
Ball played into the box and Hogarth punches clear - foul also committed
95'
Full time Falkirk 1 (Morrison 79’) Raith 1 (Stanton 85’) extra time to be played
0'
Extra time has begun and Falkirk get it underway
1'
From a Falkirk corner ball played to back post and Liam Dick heads ball out another Falkirk corner ball played to the mix freekick Raith
5'
Stewart for Falkirk thinks he’s one on one but offside
6'
Montagu tries to get the ball into the Falkirk box but his challenged
7'
Hanlon is beaten by Stewart and he runs through, he has a pop but Dabrowski gets down to save
9'
Morrison for Falkirk, not sure if a shot or cross but it’s well over the bar
13'
Raith looking close as Easton has the ball in the box and Mullin also has a go too
14'
fantastic run from Hanlon who runs across and gets the ball
15'
Half time of extra time… Falkirk 1 (Morrison 79’) Raith 1 (Stanton 85’)
15'
Raith make a substitution off goes Doherty and bring on Freeman - second half of extra time gets underway
17'
Connolly has a shot and Hogarth palms away but Eadton is brought down in the box. - penalty
18'
108’ -Eaton takes AND HE SCORES
20'
Dabrowski collects an in ball from Falkirk
21'
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Falkirk sub off Tait and bring on Oliver
23'
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Raith sub off Easton and bring on Gibson
24'
Falkirk have a corner and Dabrowski punches clear Falkirk have a second bite and Dabrowski collects but ref blows for offside
26'
Miller for Falkirk has an opportunity but his effort is well over the bar
27'
Stevenson is under pressure but he heads the ball back to Dabrowski who collects

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