A BRILLIANT hat-trick of saves by Arniston goalkeeper Stuart Baillie in a dramatic penalty shoot-out set up a brilliant East of Scotland Cup second round win for the underdogs.

Combined with a key performance from Tadg Moriarty who not only scored Arniston's second goal but he strode up to smash home the tie-winning fifth Rangers spot kick, the pair helped to produce arguably Arniston's best result of the season against the current Super League's No.1 side who were fresh from a 3-0 win over last season's champions Lochee United.

It was an absolutely stunning victory for underdogs Arniston who are now playing "home" games at Olivebank, Musselburgh.

Arniston scored twice through defenders in a stunning first 45 minutes which saw them take the break with a 2-0 lead.

Two late goals from Rose substitutes pulled them back to equality but Rangers hung on to force the dramatic penalty shoot-out contest.

There was no evidence of any league gulf between these two teams last Saturday as Linlithgow did not as expected have it all their own way.

Early sparring settled the game to an even battle with Keith Hogg spoken to in seven minutes for a foul on Umotong as Arniston stuck to their job manfully against a Rose team showing ex Arniston's Kevin Donnelly and Bonnyrigg's Sean Grady and Mark Robertson while substitute Michael McDermott also joined the tie later watched by Bonnyrigg's former boss Pat Glynn.

In a great cup tie atmosphere with the eager crowd vociferous, Scott Nisbet from defence was also pushing forward into attack when he could.

A good spell of Arniston possession led directly to Scott opening the scoring in the 17th minute when he brilliantly headed down and into the Linlithgow net a corner won by Umotong and swung in from the left by Callum Martin for an amazing Arniston breakthrough.

It was a shock lead for Arniston, a moment to savour, but before half-time there was even more reason for them to celebrate.

As a team Arniston continued to impress as another chance fell to Umatong in 27 minutes but his finish lacked the power to beat Pinkowski.

A minute later an off the ball incident spotted by the school side linesman saw Nisbet booked by referee Mike Taylor.

Arniston were holding it well together and another Jason Darling free kick had the Rose defence all in tatters before Rose's Aaron Jones yellow carded for a studs up tackle on Calvin Shand.

But Arniston were not to be denied a second goal and again it came from a Callum Martin corner on the left. As the ball looked to be twice cleared off the Rose line it was Moriarty who got the final touch to force the ball home giving Arniston an astonishing two goal interval lead.

Linlithgow were not expected to take this lying down and resumed with some second half pressure and also substitute Michael McDermott on for Jones.

In this early second half Rose flurry Stuart Baillie had two fine saves from a shot on the turn from Grady and was well up to a Mark Bradley corner after Nisbet deflected a raging shot from McDermott.

Next, a Mark Robertson shot sailed over the bar but with the hour mark approaching Rose boss saw his team still trailing at 2-0 and pulled off Hogg and Geddes to be substituted by Herd and McDowell.

Mark Stevenson next lashed a great chance, set up by Umotong, well over the bar in 62 minutes as a booking for Rose's Graham King preceded another Martin corner with Arniston queuing up to score but Jason Darling was off target.

Another excellent stop by Baillie denied Mark Robertson's shot as a double Arniston corner attack rattled the Rose faithful.

It was not until the 72nd minute that Arniston were caught out in defence under pressure and not clearing their lines. Sub Gordon Herd scrambled home a goal for the Rose from close range to throw them a lifeline.

But incredibly just two minutes later it was 2-2 in similar circumstances when a dodgy defence was caught out and this time Rose sub Murray McDowell found the Arniston net.

With 11 minutes left for play and Arniston reeling Rose looked to go on and finish it. But they reckoned without Arniston's super determination as Rangers held firm.

Indeed substitute Wayne McIntosh, on for Umotong, smashed a shot against the Rose crossbar just two minutes from time for what could have been a brilliant winner.

But at the end of 90 minutes it was all square at 2-2 and so the tie went to penalties.

McDowell put Rose 1-0 up and Scott Nisbet in reply saw his spot saved by Pinkowski. Bailie then denied Gordon Herd with a blocking save before Robbie Laird made it 1-1 from penalty No.4.

Baillie then denied Michael McDermott before Arniston went 2-1 up as Stevie Noble netted. Baillie denied Mark Bradley saving brilliantly but to win it Wayne McIntosh blasted wide.

Rose's Ian Gallagher then made it 2-2 but the final 10th kick taken by Tadg Moriarty was superbly driven home and Arniston had won the tie 3-2 on penalties — a great end to a great cup tie.

Arniston Rangers: Baillie, Darling, Moriarty, Nisbet, Shand, Lucas, Morris, Noble, Umotong, Stevenson, Martin. Subs: Laird, McIntosh, Hewitt, McNicol, Godfrey (gk).
Linlithgow Rose: Pinkowski, Robertson, King, Donnelly, Gallagher, Bradley, Tyrrell, Hogg, Grady, Geddes, Jones. Subs: McDermott, Livingstone, McArthur, Herd, McDowell.
Referee: M Taylor.

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