Match Report - By Steven Mew

City progressed to the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup following a stoppage time winner against a battling Haddington Athletic side yesterday afternoon.

Despite an unbeaten start to their league campaign, the East of Scotland outfit arrived at the Glebe as underdogs however Manager Andy Kirk and the players were acutely aware of the threat they would pose and so it proved.

Kirk didn’t have his troubles to seek with a number of players missing for a variety of reasons. Jack Wills and Max Kucheriavyi were both unable to play due to their loan agreements, whilst Jack Milne, Jamie Bain and Luc Bollan missed out through injury. Top goalscorer Marc Scott was also unavailable for selection, with Cammie Ross cup tied.

This meant five changes from last weekend as Iain Ross, Kieran Inglis, Rory Currie and Julian Wade came into the side with Brechiner Michael Cruickshank making his first start for his hometown club.

City were first to threaten within the opening couple of minutes as Rory Currie laid the ball off for Julian Wade on the edge of the box but Cormet got down well to save his effort. Shortly after, Hamish Thomson headed straight at the keeper from a Mackintosh cross.

With a healthy travelling support behind them, Haddington grabbed a foothold of the game with Auriemma shooting wide from range, whilst Shaun Hill fired a 25-yard free kick straight at Iain Ross in the City goal.

Midway through the half, the visitors took full advantage of a defensive error to open the scoring. A crossfield pass from Cruickshank was intercepted by GUY MCGARRY who sprinted clear of the defence before firing high into the net to send the away fans into raptures.

A shellshocked City side were given very little time on the ball and were limited to very few chances by a well organised defence. On the stroke of half time a cross from Inglis fell for Wade who volleyed over the bar on the turn.

A big improvement was needed in the second half and City were immediately on the front foot with Cox and Paton both firing over the bar before Cormet made an excellent save to push Rory Currie’s effort round the post.

On 55 minutes, Hamish Thomson was next to threaten with a volley that was deflected wide – but City would pull themselves level from the resulting corner. Michael Paton whipped in an excellent delivery for SAM DENHAM who guided his header into the top corner for his first City goal.

Lyall Booth was introduced to the action for Michael Cruickshank on 68 minutes whilst Garry Wood made his return from injury as he came on for Rory Currie ten minutes from time. Wood would give City a real presence upfront as City chased a winner.

With time ticking down, a replay at Millfield Park next weekend was looking extremely likely until City grabbed a dramatic winner a minute into stoppage time.

A reverse pass from Cox sent Inglis scampering down the right hand side - his low ball across the face of goal was turned into his own net by a Haddington defender to spark jubilant scenes amongst the City players and supporters.

Andy Kirk’s men saw out the remaining few minutes of stoppage time to ensure progress to the next round of the cup, with the draw taking place at 5:15pm today (Sunday).