Ross County 4 Linlithgow Rose 2

Ross County reached the last eight of the William Hill Scottish Cup after a

highly competitive fifth round tie against Linlithgow Rose at Global Energy Stadium.

The junior outfit did themselves proud with a spirited display that ensured the

tie was in doubt until the closing stages.

County got off the best possible start when Paul Quinn scored in the fourth

minute.

But Rose were well in the tie and they drew level in the final minute of the

first half when the ball came off County defender Jamie Reckord following a goalmouth melee.

The home side got themselves in front again just before the hour mark when

Brian Graham headed home and Alex Schalk doubled the lead with a close range finish.

But plucky Rose pulled one back when Ruari MacLennan netted with a fine finish to set up a grandstand finish - only for another Graham goal to settle things with 12 minutes left.

The junior side forced the first corner in the third minute but Ryan Baptie's

corner was cleared by Jackson Irvine.

County went straight up the park and won their first corner on the left. From

Ian McShane's flag-kick Irvine's header struck the base of the near post but when the ball was cleared to Quinn he rifled a low shot into the far corner of the net.

It was just the start County were looking for but Rose showed they were still in the tie with an effort from Conor Kelly which flew over and Tommy Coyle shot which was smothered by home goalkeeper Gary Woods.

The junior side were seeing a lot of the ball but County came close to a second goal in the 27th minute when Jonathan Franks got behind the Rose defence and his cross was headed down by Graham but Rose keeper Alistair Adams turned the ball

behind for a corner.

Another decent cross from Franks reached Raffaele De Vita, whose acrobatic overhead kick flew narrowly over.

But on the stroke of half time the visitors silenced the home crowd with a shock equaliser.

MacLennan had a shot blocked then Blair Batchelor followed up with an effort which was blocked in front of goal by Scott Boyd - but his clearance ricocheted off Reckord on his way into the net.

County made two changes at the start of the second half with Michael Gardyne and Richard Foster replacing Franks and Reckord.

Rose who made the better start to the second half without creating anything

clear-cut but the home side restored their lead in the 58th minute when Graham powered home a header from a McShane corner.

When Alex Schalk added a third goal six minutes later at the back post

following good work from Irvine it looked all over as a contest.

But the junior outfit were not done and MacLennan was left unmarked to convert a Kelly pass with 14 minutes remaining.

However, Graham scored a decisive fourth goal for the League Cup finalists two minutes later when he rifled home a Gardyne cutback.