Linlithgow Rose 1-0 Clydebank: Quinn header wins tough cup tie for Rose

"I took a sore one on the head before I scored with a header but we're through to the next round and that's all that matters," said Quinn."

He hadn't played for ten weeks due to an injury picked up in training but, with Rose short of personnel in defence, he was considered fit enough to take his place against a Bankies side who have a super record in the Cup in recent seasons. Beaten finalists two years ago, they reached the semi-finals last season only to be beaten by Largs, who lost out to Linlithgow in the final.

It all started well for Clydebank and, for a 20-minute spell, they had Rose under pressure.

Linlithgow keeper Steven Pinkowski excelled himself with a couple of great saves to keep his goal intact. Gradually, though, Linlithgow settled down and it was the visitors' keeper Stephen Gonet, who had to look lively to keep out Tommy Coyne and Colin Strickland.

Coyne in particular showed his class when he turned his marker and from thirty yards unleashed a rocket which the keeper finger-tipped away at full stretch. The pressure Linlithgow were applying had to tell and they were rewarded with the only goal after 34 minutes.

From the right wing, Adam Nelson sung over an inviting cross to the back post following a corner. Three Linlithgow players rose to meet the ball but it was Quinn's head that counted. He powered a header through a ruck of players and into the net.

A deserved but fragile lead as, just before half-time, Rose keeper Pinkowski had to pull another save out of the top drawer to keep out a brilliant header from Ross McPherson.

The second half started very even with neither side gaining the upper hand. Both keepers were kept busy, though good chances were rare. A string of substitutions were made by both sides in an attempt to break any deadlock. Linlithgow sub Andy Reilly had the biggest impact when he took the ball on a mazy run down the right wing beating his marker twice before driving the ball low to the near post, Clydebank keeper Gonet again coming to their rescue with a fine stop. As the full time whistle approached, Linlithgow stepped up a gear and had the visiting defence on the back foot for the last half hour.

They could and should have scored a couple more but boss Dave Baikie was satisfied with a good afternoon's work. He said: "They were tough opposition. Pinkowski had some great saves to keep them out and overall I'm delighted to be in the hat. We've been struggling with a lot of our defence out injured so it was good to get Dario back and he sure made an impression. He has three staples in his head wound but still headed the winning goal. It's good as holders winning a cup tie like this against good opposition. It gives us some confidence for the next round. It was a physical game but good for the supporters."

Last word goes to man of the match Quinn. "I've missed playing here and hopefully that's the last of my injuries. Clydebank were a hard team to play against. They play in a very tough competitive league and with their Scottish Cup record this was a big win for us. But it was good to get the goal and finish on a high."

Linlithgow Rose: Pinkowski, Tyrrell, Virgili, Ward, Quinn, Adam, Nelson, Nimmo (Reilly), Strickland, Coyne, McLennan (McArthur). Subs: King, Kelly, Hogg, Livingstone, McPherson.

Clydebank: Gonet, Moffat, Crawford, Martin, R Campbell (Dymock), Highlands (Allum), Hailstones, McKinnon, Dallas, McPherson, McComish. Subs: Kilpatrick, Green, McAdam, McInnes, L Campbell.

Linlithgow Rose 1

Clydebank 0