IN the relatively modest history of Albion Rovers, this turned out to be a landmark day.
Third bottom of the fourth tier of Scottish football, the part-timers from Coatbridge had been given little chance when the draw for the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup paired them with county rivals Motherwell, third top in the SPFL Premiership and a team they had never beaten.
Having to switch the tie from their Cliftonhill ground to New Douglas Park in Hamilton because of a fire seemed to make the possibility of an upset even less likely. What unfolded, then, was one of the biggest shocks the tournament has seen for quite some time. And it was deserved, too.
This wasn't a lower league team surviving a 90-minute onslaught then nicking a goal on a solitary counter-attack. Motherwell did enjoy the bulk of the possession, but only once - in the 78th minute - was Neil Parry in the Rovers goal called on to make a save of any significance when he kept out substitute John Sutton's shot from a corner. The sizeable travelling support made their feelings known at full-time, with at least one Motherwell scarf tossed on to the pitch by a disgruntled supporter. Their disappointment was shared by the manager.
"I've been very, very fortunate in my life, and football life, in 34 years, to have not been on the end of an upset like that," said Stuart McCall.
"I know it can happen in football. You see them happening and you hope it will never come to your door, but it has. I take full responsibility. It's my side and I can't fathom how we can go from being so confident in possession last week to really disappointing this week.
"I don't want to take anything away from Albion Rovers, who gave it everything. What can I do but apologise to the fans."
Rovers grew in confidence the longer the match wore on and ventured boldly forward once more as play drifted towards injury-time, not satisfied with the prospect of a replay at Fir Park. Their adventure was rewarded and how. One last attack reached Scott Chaplain who laid the ball off to Gary Phillips at the edge of the Motherwell penalty box. His low shot was true and nestled into the corner of the net, prompting raucous celebrations with their small pocket of delirious supporters congregated behind Gunnar Nielsen's goal.
"I think I caught it sweetly, but it wouldn't have mattered if I'd scuffed it in," Phillips said. "I think the keeper got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out. It's my first goal since August and the most important one I've ever scored."
Rovers' roll of honours is a short one. They were Scottish Cup runners-up in 1920 and Division Two champions in 1934, making this result one of the most significant moments in their 131-year history. A Ramsdens Cup defeat to Rangers earlier in the season had left them with a sense of frustration and there was a determination this time to make amends.
"You wait long enough to play teams like Motherwell and Rangers and sometimes people let it pass them by," said manager James Ward. "I told them players not to have any regrets about what they might have done. Today we had a game plan and they stuck to it. Every one of them did what they were asked to do.
"Their desire and endeavour got them what they deserved which was a victory. Sometimes you wait long enough for these days to come along so we'll make the most of it and enjoy it."
The win means Rovers are in the fifth round of the competition for the first time since 1999, giving them an unexpected interest in tomorrow's draw at Hampden. "The chairman is already mapping our way to Europe next year." joked Ward. "We'll take anything that comes our way."
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