The University of Stirling men’s first team defeated Musselburgh Athletic in the fourth round of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup.
A 90th minute equaliser from James Stokes sent the game to extra time, and the Uni would go on to win 5-3 after a back-and-forth affair.
It makes it two wins in a day for Stirling, after beating Edinburgh University 6-2 in the Queens Park shield quarter final.
Head coach Chris Geddes said: “After their first goal, I thought we played really well. There wasn’t a lot of chances but we kept the ball well. After their red card the game changed completely and we dominated”.
“Isa (Aslanoglu) played 30 minutes today against Edinburgh Uni and then 120 minutes in this one, so big credit to him for that.”
Musselburgh Athletic were quick out of the blocks in the first half.
13 minutes in, striker Evans was through on goal after a slip at the back for the Uni. He drove into the box and calmly slotted past Stirling goalkeeper Yan Gromov Godik for 1-0.
Stirling would hit back just before half-time. After a cross was whipped in from the left, defender Isa Aslanoglu arrived at the back post and headed home for the equaliser.
The away side would take the lead once again 10 minutes into the second half. After a ball was whipped in from the right, Evans would pounce again, heading it in for his second of the game.
After having a man sent off, Musselburgh would try and defend their lead and fend off constant pressure from the University as they looked to equalise once more.
Stirling would find the goal right at the death. After a goalmouth scramble, James Stokes forced the ball over the line from a few yards out, sending the game to extra time.
Only a minute into the first half of extra time, Musselburgh would regain the lead. Yet another cross was fired into the box, finding the head of striker Court who headed the ball down into the bottom left corner.
The Uni would answer back moments later. Following a free-kick, the ball was parried out by Musselburgh goalkeeper Laing. Stirling striker Finn Moffett was the quickest to react, scoring the rebound and getting his goal.
Substitute Sam Martin would regain the lead for the home side. After a ball was fired out to the edge of the box, his curled effort found its way into the bottom right corner for 4-3.
Stirling would put the game to bed in the last minute. Musselburgh sent their keeper up for a late corner, and after the ball was headed out, the Uni were on the break. Navarro was played through on goal, and passed it into an empty net to settle it.
The University will now advance into the quarter-finals of the competition, and will look to go all the way after winning the cup last season.
Stirling will return to Lowland League action on Saturday 17th of February facing Linlithgow Rose. Kick off at 3pm at Forthbank Stadium.
University of Stirling: Gromov Godik, Aslanoglu, Jeanes (Regan 62), Southern, Martin (Martin 60), Malcolm, Heal (Navarro 116), Stokes, Moffett, Vonk, Wolosyzn (Bainbridge 62)