Buckie Thistle push Ross County all the way in 1-1 draw but lose penalty shootout
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BUCKIE Thistle opened their Premier Sports Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Ross County at Victoria Park this afternoon, but were denied a bonus point after falling short in the penalty shootout.
The Jags competed well with their top flight opposition and were rewarded when Sam Urquhart forced home the opener at the start of the second half.
However, the Staggies responded through Dominic Samuel before claiming the bonus point in a 5-3 shootout win.
Jags manager Graeme Stewart was delighted with his side's performance against a side playing four divisions above them.
"I thought we were unbelievable," Stewart said.
"I thought that in terms of chances created we actually edged it.
"I think a draw was the least that we deserved and we should probably have scored at the end.
"I'm not too worried about the penalties but it would have been nice to get a bonus point.
"The challenge really now is to take this level of performance into the Highland League and show how good we really are.
"It's easy to get up for these games so we need to be at that tempo for the first game of the Highland League.
"I thought Max Barry was the best player on the pitch but they were all good so I'm over the moon with the performance."
The Staggies started the match well and should have gone ahead straight from kick off when Ross Callachan was teed up by County new boy Owura Edwards. However, Callachan was denied by the impressive Balint Demus in the Buckie goal.
The Jags had Demus to thank again moments later when he produced yet another fine save to deny Jordan Whyte at his near post.
Staggies manager Malky Mackay sent on Josh Sims and Dominic Samuel after the interval in an effort to force an opener against the stubborn hosts.
The decision almost bore fruit when Sims forced Demus into another save after being found by an Edwards cutback.
Despite the visitors' dominance, the hosts took the lead when Sam Urquhart capitalised on a defensive mix-up in County's backline before forcing the ball past a helpless Ross Munro.
The Staggies should have hit back moments later when Jordy Hiwula Mayifulia was sent through on goal only for the former Doncaster Rovers forward to fire wildly over with only Demus to beat.
Samuel finally made his presence felt by notching the equaliser in controversial fashion. The big striker forced his way into the Buckie box after strong appeals for handball were waved away by referee Chris Graham before Samuel rifled a shot past Demus to restore parity.
The Jags, undeterred, continued to attack County and were very nearly rewarded with a late winner. Some fine build up play involving Max Barry, Kevin Fraser and Marcus Goodall ended with Goodall squaring for substitute Scott Adams six yards out. However, Adams could only fire tamely into the gloves of Munro with the goal at his mercy.
Buckie held on to secure their first point of their league cup campaign but were denied the bonus point after losing the penalty shootout - Goodall missing for Buckie in a 5-3 loss.
The Jags will travel to play group leaders Dunfermline on Tuesday night after they beat East Fife 2-0.
