Uni of St Andrews 4-4 Fife Thistle

With Thistle’s home pitch unplayable, this Fife Cup third round tie was switched to the University 3G as both sides looked to claim their place in the quarter final.

Thistle started brightly and had themselves in front after only seven minutes when Cameron gathered a great ball from Donald before sending in an inviting ball which Barnes dispatched past Lightfoot.

Just two minutes later Thistle doubled their advantage when Barnes who once again showed great composure to hold off the attentions of Meaney before slotting past the advancing keeper.

On the stroke of half time Carson picked out Allan with a neat ball and the recent signing did just about everything right as he fired the ball goalwards but the University keeper pulled off a great stop.

The home side made a great start to the second and pulled a goal back in the 49th minute when Van Gilst got on the end of a dipping beer cross to head home .

Thistle responded well and within three minutes had restored their two goal advantage when Cameron was on hand to fire home with a neat finish.

The students again reduced the deficit in the 63rd minute when Andrews held off a weak challenge from Badu before slotting the ball past Anderson

Thistle responded well with Spence seeing an effort cleared off the line with the ball only being cleared as far as Bell who sent a great ball back into the box where Barnes was on hand to grab his hat-trick with a brave header.

With time running out the University were starting to push forward in numbers and only a great save from Anderson denied Lintern from reducing the deficit then at the other end some good build up play ended with Cameron teeing up Allan but once again Lightfoot proved his nemesis with a good stop.

Just 10 minutes from time the home side grabbed a lifeline when Andrews finished well low into the bottom corner after Thistle had needlessly gifted possession but worse was to follow for Thistle 4 minutes into stoppage time when the referee awarded a free kick for what looked a good challenge from Moir. The ball was driven into the box and turned out for a corner. The corner was delivered into a crowded Thistle box with all 22 players in the area and the ball broke to Irvine who managed to slip the ball home with almost the last kick of the match to take the game to penalties.

The first five penalties saw Mason for Thistle and Lintern for the Uni have their penalties saved sending it to sudden death. Beer dispatched his penalty but Moir saw his poor spot kick easily saved by Lightfoot sending the University into the quarter final where they will travel to face either Rosebank or Freuchie.

LM Joinery MoM– Ronnie Barnes.

Thistle – Anderson, Donald, Spence, Badu, McLuckie, Smith (Provan 71), Carson (Bell 58), Malone (Moir 54), Allan (Mason 75), Cameron, Barnes.

Sub not used – Ross.

On Saturday Thistle are back on league duty when the face local rivals St Andrews Colts at Balmullo at 2pm.