SCOTTISH CUP SECOND ROUND: Sunday 25 September, 2016, Bathgate Sports Centre

With eight minutes remaining, this Scottish Cup tie was tighter than two coats of paint. The teams were locked at 0-0, both had spurned scoring chances, and extra-time looked inevitable.

Then came a goal which you don’t often see watching Bathgate Thistle’s Under-16s. The boys in blue are generally regarded as a crisp passing side who employ a certain brand of entertaining, quality football. For a few seconds, that philosophy went out of the window to secure their place in the third round.

Currie Star would have probably been expecting a pass when Darren launched a free-kick from his own half deep into opposition territory on 72 minutes. Bailey’s arced run kept him onside as he sprinted in behind the Edinburgh club’s defence. The striker drew the goalkeeper and prodded the ball into the net to decide the game and take Thistle through.

Currie showed why they are an accomplished team in Edinburgh’s second division and were perhaps entitled to take the game to extra-time. Like Bathgate, they couldn’t convert many of the chances which came their way.

Darren and Matty’s defending kept them at bay, whilst Ross, Leon and Kieran also played key roles in the back four. The visitors hit the crossbar and Barry in the Bathgate goal had to be alert to stop some of their attempts on goal.

Just when the game looked destined for extra-time, it was a long ball and a textbook finish which saw Bathgate prevail.