With 15 minutes to go, it looked done and dusted. Away from home in the Cup and trailing 3-1 but the men in red weren't here to go out without a fight. What a final 14 minutes we were in for, but we'll get to them in a bit.

We travelled to Carnoustie 6 weeks after our last competitive outing, a 5-5 League draw with the YM, having grabbed a 93rd minute equaliser.

We went with a 3-5-2 from the start, as this had made a difference in the previous meeting, when we changed to it at half-time. With no Sean today, Stevie went up front with Ritchie, who was here from the start this time.

In my time at the Firies, we have played Carnoustie 7 times in the League & Cup, having won 3, drawn 2 and lost 2, with both losses away at Carlogie. This would be our 3rd meeting so far this season, with all 3 away at Carnoustie. We'd already lost 1 and drawn 1, so could we get the win for the full set?

Anyway to the game. We started brightly, knocking the ball about without causing too much of a threat to the YM defence, but this was a much better start than our last visit in December. The opening 20 minutes or so had little to write about for us, in the way of goal threats, but Millar had to look lively on a couple of occasions for us, rushing from his line to block decent efforts from the home side. On one occasion he didn't get up after a great block with his foot and this had me contemplating who would take over between the sticks if he didn't continue. Luckily, Billy Foote provided the "magic sponge" treatment or Millar looked around and saw there was no option for taking over and got up and just "ran it off". Either way, I was happy.

On 26 minutes Carnoustie broke the deadlock. We had a couple of opportunities to clear our lines, but could only knock the loose ball to the edge of our box, to a YM player. He cut back inside to his left and fired the ball back across Millar into the right corner of the goal. Sloppy from us, but we seem to gift wrap goals at Carnoustie in every game. 1-0 down.

We needed a positive reaction to going behind and that's exactly what we got. It wasn't long until we were level and it was a well earned equaliser. Frenchie played a good ball into space behind the YM right back and as he tried to usher the ball out for a goal kick, Lloyd had other ideas. The Firies wide man pressed the defender and as it looks like the ball would go out, Lloyd slid round his man, stopping the ball inside the goal line. As he got to his feet first, he had the composure to pick his pass, playing it back across the goal to the waiting Stevie Hay. The big no.9 wasn't missing this and even though he was put under pressure, Stevie stroked the ball into the corner of the waiting net. 1-1 and no more than our play deserved.

However well we had played, another sloppy piece of play let YM right back in. We lost the ball in a good area and YM simply played the ball forward and used their pace to get in behind our defence before passing the ball past Millar, who could do little to stop this effort. 2-1 down after 39 minutes and another gift wrapped goal for the YM.

So to the last 6 minutes of the half. Again we got right back to it and were the stronger team finishing the half. On 43 minutes we had the ball in the net again, but the Ref called it offside. It didn't look close to being offside and the even the usually vocal YM defensive line didn't appeal it, which I think speaks volumes, as they normally call for everything. The ball had been played into the wide left area, where Ritchie had did well to control the ball, beating his man and then laying the ball back for Stevie to tuck away. Disappointing but still plenty of football to be played.

HT 2-1

No changes at ht, but Lloyd had taken a sore one prior to the end of the half and this was our only concern.

We started the 2nd half well and were moving the ball about, probing, looking for an opening, without having to do too much defending.

On 58 minutes, Lloyd had to be replaced. He had blocked a clearence and it looked like this had twisted his knee on impact. Straight like for like swap with Lewis coming on. Great work from Lloyd in the lead up to our first of the day.

A couple of minutes later and we freshened up the midfield, with Joe replacing Marko. Another good 60 minutes from Marko doing a lot of the dirty stuff in the middle of the park.

So, after making the subs, how long to the breakthrough? Only a couple of minutes, but not for us. Having defended some attacks really strongly, we seemed to step off this time and allowed a simple ball in from their left, to travel across our goal, only for a YM player coming in from the right, to meet the ball, directing it past Millar into the corner of the goal. 3-1 to the YM on 63 minutes.

Within minutes of going 3-1 down, it could've and probably should,ve been 4-1. A simple ball played over the top of our defence, allowed the YM forward a clear run in on goal, but just as it looked like his chip was going over Millar, the Firies no.1 proved his quality, getting fingertips to slow the ball down and allowing him time to turn and smother the ball, well before reaching the goal. Class, absolutely class!

This save seemed to inspire us, although I still think Carnoustie felt it was game over at 3-1, while we felt the next goal was the key to getting something from the Cup tie. I have to say that the final 20 minutes was absolutely brilliant to watch, as the Firies grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and controlled the play.

On 76 minutes and after some good possession play by us, the ball was played in the right hand area of the YM box. Ritchie had control of the loose ball and as he twisted and turned, the ball sat up for Thommo, as he ran into the box. The Firies no.7 never stopped but adjusted himself to simply smash the ball low and into the keeper's left hand corner. 3-2 and it was game on. Even at this time, it felt that we would get something more before the end of the 90.

5 minutes later and it was all square. Thommo had been running the YM no.3 ragged and as the Firies wing wizard got the better of his opponent again, cutting inside, the defender could do nothing but haul Thommo to the ground. Paton lined up the free kick and then delivered a great ball right into the penalty area. Big Stevie Hay was there to meet it, thundering his header off the bar. As the ball rebounded and as the YM defence tried to clear their lines, the ball seemed to swerve right and looked to be going well wide of the goal, only for JHay to meet it full on, smashing it through the crowded area and into the net. What a strike from a difficult angle. Great finish! 3-3 with 9 minutes to play. I think everyone knew now, who was going through to the next round. Extra time would not be required.

So to the winner. As we attacked the YM goal again, the ball was cleared high into the air and appeared to be falling to the ground at least 30 yards from goal, on the right side of the park. Now we've all seen Paton at training and even in some games giving it his Peter Kay "have it" volleys, but being in direct line with him and the goal, I don't think I've seen anyone catch a ball better. Paton caught it as sweetly as you could, thundering the ball a few inches off the ground and heading straight inside the keeper's right hand post. Somehow the keeper dived full length to get something on it, but all he did was to push the ball out to the waiting Stevie Hay and he made no mistake from 5 or 6 yards, slamming the ball into the goal and winning the tie for us. 3-4 to the Firies and we really did deserve it. 2 for the big Man on his return up front.

Before the final whistle, we had a couple of half chances, but no more goals.

FT 3-4 to the Firies and into the next round.

Verdict - A really good performance by the the team and the last 20 minutes were great to watch. Even with the sloppy goals, we never stopped playing. We always looked a threat going forward, particularly in the 2nd half and with Millar in the goal, we always have a chance of staying in touch with teams. The work rate was good and everyone should feel pleased with their own contributions. Let's look forward to the last 16 and our away game to Forfar in the next round.

Man of the Match - Some good performances today, but with 4 out of the 5 votes, this week's MotM goes to Craig Millar. The Firies no.1 came up with the goods again at several key moments during the game. Pick of the saves for me was at 3-1. YM forward looked a mile offside and it could've been easy to lose your focus, but Millar does what he does best and comes up with a great stop. Well played and well deserved Craig!