Dufftown's dream of Scottish Cup glory has ended for another year after two second half goals from Larkhall Thistle cancelled out Dufftown's half time advantage.

Co-managers Willie Duncan and Rab Mulheron made one change to the side that defeated New Elgin last weekend, striker Rab Coll replacing midfielder Mark Taylor.

Heavy rain had fallen in the Dufftown area for most of the previous week and so the Westburn Park pitch was heavy but perfectly playable.

Larkhall almost opened the scoring after just 6 minutes.  Striker David Menelaws picked up the ball on the Larkhall right before firing in a cross which seemed to deceive home 'keeper Martin Taylor before coming off the crossbar and then being cleared to safety by the Dufftown defence.

Dufftown strikers Rab Coll and Stuart Allan linked up well after 25 minutes in a move which eventually saw Coll drive in a shot which was deflected wide for a corner.

The underfoot conditions were proving tricky for both sides and a slip by home defender Stuart Lamberton almost led to Larkhall taking the lead after 31 minutes.  Lamberton's slip allowed David Carr to play in David Menelaws but the striker blazed his effort over the crossbar.

Dufftown then took the lead after 36 minutes.  A free kick around 25 yards out was taken by striker Rab Coll, the ball was only half cleared by the Larkhall defence before falling to Dufftown midfielder Mark Sanderson who showed good footwork before crashing his effort beyond the diving Larkhall 'keeper Kevin Budinauckas and into the net.

Dufftown almost extended their lead just 3 minutes before half-time.  Midfielder Peter Fraser's effort beat goalkeeper Budinauckas and seemed set to curl into the net until visiting defender Alan Shields managed to hook the ball clear and away from danger.

Into the second half and Dufftown were to create the first chance after 47 minutes.  A Paul Lamberton free-kick found Gary Spence in space in the Larkhall penalty area but the midfielder's looping header landed on top of the Larkhall net and the chance had gone.

Larkhall grabbed a deserved equaliser after 61 minutes.  Central defender Alan Shields created the goal, his delightful pass finding Stephen Clarke in space in the Dufftown penalty area and the midfielder did well, lifting his effort over the advancing 'keeper Taylor and into the Dufftown net.

The pivotal minute of the match was to come after 68 minutes.  A corner kick from Mark Sanderson found Stuart Allan in space in the Larkhall penalty area but his looping header was cleared off of the Larkhall goal-line by the Thistle defence, play then raged to the other end and striker David Menelaws picked the ball up at the edge of the Dufftown penalty area before spinning and driving in a low shot which flashed across 'keeper Taylor and into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

The rest of the match was played out with Dufftown having plenty of possession with Larkhall seemingly content to hit on the break - Dufftown were unable to create any further chances though and the final whistle was blown signalling the end of Dufftown's Scottish Cup adventure.  The priority will now be to pick up some much needed victories in the league and hopefully to advance up the table.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeneAHCdTS0