DUMBARTON 5 Annan Athletic 4
Picture special by Jon Leino
SONS WIN MEMORABLE CUP TIE
Dumbarton advanced into the fourth round of the Scottish Cup after a nine-goal thriller with Annan Athletic.
An own goal had Sons on their way in the opening five minutes – though the goal has been credited to Michael Ruth – before Ryan Wallace doubled the lead before the break to put the visitors in a comfortable position.
Annan came out flying after the break, however, and were quickly level through Kai Nugent and Dom Docherty.
A series of superb saves from Greg Fleming kept Annan level and it looked like he would be the hero when Aidan Smith put the visitors ahead for the first time on 73 minutes.
Fleming was it again in the closing stages, only for a deflected Finlay Gray cross to loop over the goalkeeper and into the net.
The game headed for extra-time with Smith heading his side ahead again in the first period before a final few minutes of the contest turned things in Sons favour.
Michael Ruth capped off a superb move on 113 minutes to level things up and it looked like it would be penalties to decide the outcome until Jinky Hilton stepped up.
With 118 minutes played, he could have played in either Ross MacLean or Ruth to his left but instead picked out the bottom corner to send Sons players, staff and supporters into scenes of jubilation.
Report from the Sons website
Scottish Cup draw takes place as Premiership teams enter competition
By Peter Cassidy for STV News
The draw for the fourth round of the Scottish Cup has taken place with Dumbarton drawing a plum tie against Rangers at the Rock Stadium.
This follows the Sons’ 5-4 victory in a nine goal thriller against Annan Athletic on Saturday.
The possibility of a stadium swap with Sons travelling up to Ibrox to meet Frenchman Philippe Clement’s side, but the fans will want to be consulted before that happens. There would be a big cash incentive for the local club to opt to play the match at Ibrox Stadium.
Premiership teams have now entered the competition as they look to go all the way to final that will be held at Hampden in May.
In the pick of the third round ties played on Saturday, Queen of the South beat Dundee United on penalties, Partick Thistle win 3-0 against Queen’s Park and Raith Rovers were victorious away at Dunfermline.
Spartans beat Arbroath 2-1 in a result that signalled the end of manager Dick Campbell’s time at Gayfield.
Last year’s winners Celtic will be looking to win the oldest trophy in football for a record 42nd time but they will need to get past Highland League side Buckie Thistle at Parkhead first.
City rivals Rangers will take on Dumbarton away in their quest to lift the trophy for a 35th time in what could be a potential treble for Philippe Clement’s side who are in the League Cup final that takes place next month.
Their opponents in that one will be Aberdeen who will also be hoping to get to Hampden again in May, they will play Clyde away in the fourth round.
Hibs ended their over 100-year wait for a Scottish Cup win in 2016 and they will play Forfar with fellow Edinburgh side Hearts making a short trip to take on Spartans in the games that will be played over the weekend of January 20.
Dundee United’s conquerors will travel to Paisley to play high flying St Mirren, Partick Thistle will take on Ross County at Dingwall and Raith Rovers will play Livingston in West Lothian.
The only all Premiership tie of the round will take place at Rugby Park when Kilmarnock host Dundee.
Fourth round draw in full
Dumbarton vs Rangers
Ayr United vs Kelty Hearts
Kilmarnock vs Dundee FC
Greenock Morton vs Montrose
Inverness Caley Thistle vs Broomhill FC
St Mirren vs Queen of the South
Brora Rangers vs Cove Rangers
Clyde vs Aberdeen
Spartans vs Heart of Midlothian
Bonnyrigg Rose vs Falkirk
Livingston vs Raith Rovers
Motherwell vs Alloa Athletic
Ross County vs Partick Thistle
Celtic vs Buckie Thistle
Forfar Athletic vs Hibernian
Airdrieonians vs St Johnstone
Top picture: A famous Rangers team lifting the Scottish Cup with captain Eric Caldow holding the trophy aloft. The line-up included the late Jim Baxter, third from left, and former Dumbarton players and manager Davie Wilson.