Raith Rovers vs Hearts. Scottish Cup Fourth Round.
Stark's ParkAttendance5,036.
Sunday 22 January 2017 15:46, UK
Declan McManus scored a dramatic late equaliser at Stark's Park where Raith Rovers drew 1-1 with Hearts to snatch a well-deserved replay in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup on Sunday.
With 89 minutes on the clock, McManus used his head to divert Rudi Skacel's crisp 20-yard volley past keeper Jack Hamilton from close range.
And the buoyant hosts came close to grabbing a winner deep in injury time when an Yves M'Voto header was kept out by Hamilton.
Although Hearts will feel disappointed at having to face Rovers again at Tynecastle, the Scottish Championship side will have felt aggrieved had they not drawn level after dominating the second half.
The first half belonged to the visitors, who came close to opening the scoring in the 19th minute when Perry Kitchen's powerful downward header, from Malaury Martin's corner, bounced wide of the right post.
The deadlock was broken eight minutes before half-time, and on the counter-attack, as Don Cowie's slide-rule pass fed Jamie Walker and the striker clinically slipped the ball beyond keeper Kevin Cuthbert.
The second half began more lively than the first, with Ross Callachan firing wide for Raith and Martin having an effort tipped to safety by Cuthbert.
The hosts missed a glorious chance to level matters on 57 when Mark Stewart, from Kevin McHattie's low cross, could only locate the bar from three yards out - when it seemed easier to score.
And, moments later, Callachan forced Hamilton to make a good save as Rovers continued to seek an equaliser.
Hearts failed to create much after the break, although Bjorn Johnsen flashed a shot high and wide 10 minutes from time.
But with time running out, McManus was in the right place to nod home the equaliser and set up a re-match with the Scottish Premiership high-flyers.
