Raith Rovers had goalkeeper David McGurn to thank as they scraped past Linlithgow Rose in the Scottish Cup third round.
In front of an impressive 2,250 crowd at Prestonfield, only a string of saves from McGurn, and some glaring misses from the underdogs, prevented the East Region Superleague side from taking a half-time lead.
It took a 68th minute penalty award to get Raith out of jail, which Ryan Conroy converted, before a late header from Paul Watson sealed a 2-0 win that was somewhat harsh on the impressive hosts.
McGurn, playing only his second match after a year-long injury absence, was pleased to have contributed to the team’s victory.
“After being out for a year watching games, it’s like being a wee kid again,” he said.
“I just want to play and dive about, so I’m loving it. I don’t feel rusty, hopefully it doesn’t show.”
Rose should have taken the lead on six minutes when winger Roddy McLennan found space at the edge of the box but pulled his shot inches wide.
Ex-Dunfermline youth Calum Smith then embarked on a 60-yard run before drawing out a superb one-handed save from McGurn from the edge of the box.
Raith threatened with a few corners and long-range efforts but the main action was taking place at the other end and McGurn was at full stretch in the 21st minute to turn Colin Strickland’s free-kick past the post.
McGurn was called upon again on the half-hour mark as Strickland got free in the box but the Raith keeper held his low drive.
Blair Batchelor passed up the hosts’ best chance on the stroke of half-time, steering an effort wide from just eight yards out when it looked easier to score.
Tiring Linlithgow paid for those misses in the second half as Gary Thom fouled Mark Stewart in the box and Conroy scored from the penalty.
Raith made sure of their place in the fourth round draw in the 86th minute as sub Lewis Vaughan’s corner was powered home by the head of defender Watson.
Raith boss Grant Murray said: “Everyone outside of Raith Rovers would have loved to have seen us slip up here. We’ve not but a lot of credit goes to Linlithgow because they gave a good account of themselves.
“They gave us a fright in the first half and Davie made some great saves but we always knew it was going to be difficult.
“All I was interested in was getting into the next round, and we are.”