Roddy hopes his last-gasp heroics don't go to waste

RODDY MacLENNAN, Linlithgow Rose's Scottish Cup saviour at Bathgate last weekend, is hoping his good work doesn't go to waste when two of the East Region giants go head-to-head again in tomorrow's replay at Prestonfield (kick-off 2.30pm).

Dave Baikie's side were heading out of the Emirates-sponsored competition until former Clyde winger MacLennan popped up with a 92nd-minute strike to cancel out the lead Bathgate had taken with just seven minutes to go through Jim Lister. Now MacLennan is keeping his fingers crossed that Linlithgow can make the most of their lifeline when they play their fourth Scottish Cup tie in a row, having required a replay to see off Ayrshire side Whitletts Victoria before turning their attention to Bathgate.

Reflecting on his goal at Creamery Park, where he got on the end of a Gordon Herd cross to slam an unstoppable shot past Andy Carlin, the 20-year-old said: "When the ball came over I only had one thing on my mind.

"I've probably not hit too many sweeter than that one and it was hitting the back of the net from the second it left my foot.

"We'll see how important it is tomorrow and hopefully it will help us secure a place in the semi-finals.

"I suppose you could say we were lucky to get an equaliser in injury time but you've got to try and make the most of such breaks." Mark Tyrrel and Tommy Coyne were both denied by the woodwork as Linlithgow held the upper hand in the opening 45 minutes last Saturday before Bathgate just edged the second period.

"To be honest, we didn't create too many chances in the game," reflected MacLennan, who is enjoying his first taste of the Junior game's premier competition.

"It's a learning experience for me," he said.

"This will be our four Scottish Cup game in a row and we are starting to forget what the league actually is.

"But these are the type of games you want to play in and we are certainly looking forward to the replay.

"The Scottish Cup is totally different. It has a great atmosphere and I'm enjoying the run we are having in this season's competition."

He added: "I think the team has a better balance to it now. You've got to remember this is still a relatively new team, with a lot of the players only having joined the club at the start of the season We are starting to get comfortable with each other on the park and, at the same time, getting to grips with the formation the gaffer wants us to play."

With Linlithgow having home advantage tomorrow, they should now be the favourites to progress to the last four but MacLennan insists the Prestonfield men certainly can't afford to take anything for granted.

"They've already beaten us at our ground this season so we certainly won't be thinking it's a case of job done," he said. "We're delighted to have earned the replay and now it's up to us to grasp that opportunity.

"Even when he's not having the best of games, Jim Lister is still a big threat. He's a huge lad and is probably one of the best strikers in the league.

"But Bathgate are certainly not a one-man team as they've got good players all over the pitch."

After three seasons at Clyde, MacLennan is enjoying life at Linlithgow and, in full flow, the youngster is one of the most exciting players to watch in the East Region.

"I'm enjoying my football again, which is great," he said. "At Clyde, I was only really playing reserve football and there's no substitute for the real thing.

"All the boys here are brilliant. It is great for someone like me to be around players like Danny Smith, for example.

"They look out for you and you are always learning from players like that."

While disappointed that his side had come so close to winning the tie at the first attempt, Graeme Love is confident Bathgate can still go through and believes new signing Stephen Payne can have a big role to play in the replay.

The former Aberdeen youngster came on for Love's brother, Fraser, last weekend and made an impact, particularly with his delivery into the box.

"Though he is short of match fitness, you could see in the game last week that Stephen provided us with the bit of quality on the ball that we had been lacking," said Love. "He's the sort of player who can take the ball from the back and get it forward into the strikers and his delivery was excellent."

It could be a glove affair at Prestonfield

If the first game is anything to go by, the replay could well be won by the goalkeepers. Here we put them under the spotlight ..

ANDY CARLIN (Bathgate)

The Creamery Park custodian is regularly hailed by his manager as the 'best goalkeeper in the East Region Super League' and few would probably argue with that view. Carlin was close to quitting last season when he was No.2 to Jordan Longmuir but has regained his enthusiasm for the game and has been a real stalwart for his side this term.

STEPHEN PINKOWSKI (Linlithgow)

Started his career at Celtic before moving to Partick Thistle and is now in his fifth full season at Prestonfield. Pulled off two outstanding saves to deny Brian McColligan and Graeme McLaren in the first match. According to the club website, he's sponsored by 'Wallace & Gromit' but Pinkowski is no cartoon character.