Hard-working Lister makes his mark as the Jags edge Scottish Cup thriller
IT'S not often that Bathgate Thistle hitman Jim Lister fails to get on the score sheet when his side notches up three goals.
While the hard-working striker failed to net here, he did have a hand in each of his side's strikes as the Jags beat Bo'ness United 3-2 to reach the last eight of the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup.
Lister won the penalty for Alex Lurinsky to open the scoring, played in the winger for the second, then hit an inch-perfect cross for Graeme McLaren to head a back-post winner in the dying minutes in front of a noisy 1,000 fans at Creamery Park.
McLaren, who also played alongside Lister with Camelon under Bo'ness boss Alan McGonigal, paid tribute to his strike partner.
He said: "Big Jim is great to play alongside. Everyone knows he scores goals but he's also great at taking the ball in and creating chances for others. He's been fantastic this season.
"I never had the best of games but to score the winner in any game, never mind a Scottish Cup tie, is always brilliant. There's no better feeling than that.
"For me, Bo'ness were the better team but we hung in there and that's what happens if you keep yourself in a cup tie.
"I've been put out in the last 16 twice in the Scottish Cup with Camelon – losing to Kilwinning Rangers and Lanark – so it is sweet to get into the last eight, especially after beating such a good side.
"While I've got a lot of time and respect for Alan as he was really good to me, I can't say I'm sad to see him go out as we're delighted to win."
Thistle boss Graeme Love wanted his side to start brightly, like they did against Glenrothes in the previous round when they were three up within ten minutes, and his boys didn't disappoint.
In a lively first half Bathgate opened their account after six minutes when Roger Duffin conceded a penalty by taking away Lister's heels in the box as he headed away from goal. Lurnisky made no mistake from the spot.
David Morrison equalised 19 minutes later when he latched on to a through ball from Danny Gribben to slide a shot under Andy Carlin from 18 yards after the keeper had left his line to narrow the angle.
The home side regained their lead shortly afterwards when Lister showed his strength to hold the ball up before playing Lurinsky in down the right and his shot from an angle just inside the area crept past Jordan Longmuir's right hand.
Bo'ness restored parity three minutes before the break when Andy Shirra curled a superb effort into the top corner from 18 yards.
Fraser Love replaced the injured Riley for the second half as the visitors turned the screw looking for a winner but found Carlin in the way on three occasions with great saves from Gribben and twice from former team-mate Chris McFadyen.
Duffin also should have scored, but somehow saw his effort go wide with the goal gaping.
Graeme Love then made an inspired substitution when he threw on Blaney for Fallon with eight minutes remaining to go two up front and the move paid off big time as Bathgate caught Bo'ness on the counter.
After getting away from Fraser Forrest near the right corner, Lister looked up before picking out McLaren with a delightful dink to the back post and his unmarked team-mate provided the finish the delivery deserved as he nodded powerfully past a helpless Jordan Longmuir.
"This was a big game to win but I didn't think we played as well as we could have," said Love after the game.
"The team spirit the boys have is amazing and big Jim had a hand in everything we did.
"He's so difficult to pick up. I'm so proud of him and the rest of the team.
"Two-two would have been a decent result and an honest reflection on the game but I wanted to win and changed things to go two up because I had every confidence we could win it.
"I knew we would get another chance."
Bo'ness boss McGonigal said: "It's a real hard one to take as I thought we were the team that looked like winning the game.
"Bathgate were just booting the ball up the park but, in fairness to big Jim (Lister], he's always going to be a handful and, after he'd skinned Fraser Forrest on the byline, I knew what he'd do as he has great awareness."
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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