Livingston Women fell victim to the lottery of a penalty shoot-out as they exited the Scottish Cup at the hands of Championship North leaders Montrose, writes Angus McGregor.
The Lionesses had conceded late on in normal time with neither side able to find the net during the 30 minutes of extra-time, resulting in a 1-1 draw with Livi’s Vicky Wood missing the crucial spot-kick as the Angus side progressed 5-3 on penalties.
The away side started the game more positively with high pressing forcing some slack balls from the home team, leading to a couple of half chances.
Aimee Ridgeway went closest to opening the scoring but her delicate dink over Livi keeper Charlotte Ferguson bounced past the post.
Livingston had little to show from the opening half hour as they struggled to carve many openings for themselves as the rain began to batter down.
Combined with the wind, the conditions were difficult for either side to create chances.
Livi would open the scoring, though, in before the break as Jen Dodds netted her 13th of the season. The striker found herself on the end of a scooped through ball before firing an emphatic half volley from 20 yards into the back of the net.
Following the goal, Livi came more into the game and could have added to their lead. Dodds failed to connect properly while Rebecca Jaconelli missed a glorious chance when the weather conditions appeared to take the ball away from her at the crucial moment.
At the other end, Ferguson was forced into a great save from Anna Grant to keep the hosts in front at the interval.
The second half saw Livi line-up more defensively with Fiona Boslem introduced for striker Ashley Fish to bolster the back line.
Jess Murphy was impressive all game and snuffed out two goalscoring opportunities while Charlotte Gammie fired wide from a few yards out as Montrose looked to level things up.
The pressure eventually paid dividends in the 88th minute as Ridgeway got on the end of a corner to direct the ball beyond Ferguson for the equaliser.
Extra-time would add 30 minutes of the players braving the horrendous conditions but the sides couldn’t be separated.
Livi’s Teri-Louise Deegan had the best chances with two headers from corners but was unable to find a winner.
Seven successful spot-kicks was followed by Wood seeing her effort blasted down the middle and saved - leaving Gammie as the hero as she fired the visitors into the fourth round.
Livingston look to bounce back on Sunday when they host Ayr United in a pivotal Championship South clash.
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