Linlithgow Rose pay the penalty as they fall to shoot-out cup final loss

Linlithgow Rose paid the penalty as they let a two goal lead slip before sending four spot-kicks over the bar as they suffered East of Scotland Cup final agony.

Gordon Herd’s men looked well placed to make it three trophies in the space of 12 months but a late collapse against Lowland League outfit Gala Fairydean Rovers saw them game end in a 2-2 draw.

Despite Lewis McMinn’s penalty heroics as he saved three Rovers attempts, it was the Gala faithful cheering as they won a dramatic contest 4-3 on penalties.

The two sides had played out last season’s EoS Qualifying Cup final with the Rose coming away 3-1 victors on that occasion and it looked very much like things would be repeating themselves at Whitehill Welfare’s Ferguson Park.

Linlithgow got off to the best possible start as Connor McMullan nodded home Mark Stowe’s free-kick inside the first minute with a delicate header beyond Ruairidh Adams.

The East of Scotland Premier Division leaders created the better chances in the first-half but were unable to add to their lead with Stowe in particular proving a threat down the right flank.

He fired over when well placed then saw Adams produce a great save to tipping a curling effort away before smashing the crossbar.

The pair were at the centre of what at the time appeared to be the decisive moment in the tie just two minutes before half-time when Stowe raced onto a quick free-kick only to be wiped out by the onrushing Adams - who was promptly shown a red card.

Gala, managed by former Livingston players Jimmy Scott and Steven Craig, were able to reset during the interval but Linlithgow seemingly had the game wrapped up just shy of the hour mark as Alan Docherty dinked the ball over substitute keeper Ryan Kidd and into the far