Musselburgh Athletic 1-2 Forfar Athletic

Forfar Athletic survived a lacklustre performance to overcome Musselburgh Athletic and progress to the Third Round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

Jamie Todd put the hosts deservedly ahead at half time but goals from Stuart Morrison and Craig Slater at either end of the second half turned things around.

The Loons headed to the Olivebank Stadium for their first ever meeting with The Burgh, who currently sit a point off the top of the East of Scotland Premier League, albeit with a game in hand.

Jim Weir made one change from the goalless draw against Clyde as Scott Bright was replaced by Lyle Wark.

The hosts threatened early on as Nathan Evans had a shot blocked while in the 7th minute Stuart Morrison was dispossessed by Zach Khan who saw his effort held by McCallum.

Musselburgh continued to push forward inside the opening ten minutes; this time captain Robert Wilson having a shot deflected wide.

Forfar’s first chance of the game fell to Scott Shepherd who found himself one on one with the keeper, blasting his strike straight at him.

In the 24th minute Dolzanski and Shepherd both had shots blocked following a Slater corner before Jamie Todd headed wide at the other end.

Lyle Wark’s low effort couldn’t beat Daniel Laing as Forfar struggled in the first half.

Musselburgh took a deserved lead two minutes before the break; a lofted ball was spilled by McCallum and Jamie Todd gratefully bundled it home.

The Loons came out for the second half looking to try and get a quick goal back, Stuart Morrison providing just one minute in when he fired home from a corner.

A ball into the box just before the hour mark was palmed by Laing; hitting off the unsuspecting Mailer and coming back off the crossbar into the arms of the keeper.

Musselburgh somehow didn’t find the net themselves shortly after when Khan got a shot away from a tight angle, it was half cleared only to find its way back to Khan, the attacker blazing over.

McCallum had to be sharp to deny Nathan Evans after he connected with a Stevenson free kick.

As the game entered the final fifteen substitute Jamie Richardson had a strike deflected over.

The Loons saved themselves from extra time with five minutes remaining as Craig Slater curled home a free kick.

Despite pressure from the Burgh late on, Jim Weir’s side held on to head into the next round of the Scottish Cup.

McCallum, Allan, Martin, Morrison, Dolzanski, Mailer, Sutherland (Lorimer 60), Slater, Rennie, Shepherd (Christie 71), Wark (Richardson 60)

Subs not used: Lemon, Whatley, Cannon, McLinden, Stafford