Livingston 2-1 Raith Rovers: Poplatnik scores extra-time Scottish Cup third-round winner

Matej Poplatnik's extra-time winner earned Livingston a 2-1 victory over Raith Rovers and a place in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.

Lewis Vaughan had given the Championship side the lead with a delightful free-kick, but Jack Fitzwater's close-range effort sent the game to extra time.

With the game crawling towards a penalty shootout, substitute Poplatnik found himself on the end of a Nicky Devlin cross and he made no mistake with the finish.

The result ends Raith's three-game winning streak, while Livingston grind out just their second win in their last nine games.

• Reaction & as it happened

There was little doubt over which of the sides came into the game in better form. Livingston had won just one eight, while Raith were fresh off Tuesday's derby thrashing of Dunfermline Athletic.

The Championship high-flyers survived an early scare when Dylan Tait stopped Devlin's effort on the line, but it did not take them long to find their rhythm.

Vaughan's brilliant free-kick from just outside the box was just out of Robby McCrorie's reach as it arrowed into the back of the net.

Livingston were not disheartened, and regained control of the game, though they would have to wait until the 70th minute for the equaliser to come.

David Martindale's side did have chances before then, the best of which came when Jackson Longridge worked some space in the Raith box before firing towards goal, but Frankie Musonda managed to clear.

They finally got their reward with 20 minutes of normal time remaining, as Josh Mullin's corner was headed into a dangerous area by Jon Guthrie and was met at the back post by Fitzwater, who managed to squeeze the ball past a collection of bodies and into the net.

Despite the game becoming stretched, a winner was not forthcoming and extra-time was required.

Chances were sparse in the additional period, but superb work by Devlin culminated in a low delivery to the back post, where Poplatnik found himself, and he tapped in what proved to be the winner.

What did they say?

Livingston manager David Martindale: "Once we equalised I was very confident we'd go on and win the game, to be honest, because we were moving them about and dominating the ball. I thought we were good value for it today and deserved the win."

Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn: "Maybe just all the games that we've had recently caught up with one or two of us whereas Livingston were fresh. But there are loads and loads of positives to take."