Former Raith Rovers man Reghan Tumilty has given Hamilton Accies a surprise lead at half-time, with what was the game's first shot on target on the half hour mark.

It's been a fairly poor showing from the favourites Raith Rovers, who are also looking to retain the trophy. But they'll need a much better showing in the second half if they are to get their hands back on the trophy.

Accies haven't had too many chances but have probably edged the first half. Their main problem has been injuries and they've already made two changes.

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Raith have really lifted it in the dying stages of this first half. They're knocking on the door, but Dylan Easton skies his long-range effort over the bar instead of keeping the pressure on.

Poor choice.

Raith have their best chance of the half, right on the brink of the break.

Isma Goncalves received out wide and cut to the edge of the area where Lewis Vaughan was lurking, but Reagan Mimnaugh produced a superb block to deny and the ball bounced harmlessly through to Ryan Fulton.

Craig Levein
Former Raith manager on BBC Sportsound

Raith haven't done anything, really. There's nothing positive we can say up to this point that would infer any good play from Raith Rovers.

Ouch!published at 36 mins

36 mins

Raith Rovers 0-1 Hamilton Accies

Matthew Shiels is now down for Accies, following a 50/50 in their own half. He looks in a bad way. hobbling off...

But he'll stay on for the time being. They've already used two subs remember. They only have one stoppage remaining.

Almost a bizarre own goal as Dylan McGowan nearly loops a header over his own keeper. A lack of communication between the captain and Ryan Fulton, who is just about able to gather the ball.

That would have been a calamity!

Colin Steven produces his first caution of the game as Brad Spencer pulls back Scott Martin, with Accies threatening a counter attack.

Still a distinct lack of clear-cut chances but the tempo is high and the tackles are full-blooded.

Derek Ferguson
Former Hamilton midfielder on Sportsound

It's surprising that Raith haven't put their stamp on the game yet. They've been in decent form and put out some good sides on the way to the final. They've not been at it and I can't put my finger on why.

It is not Hamilton Accies' day so far. Marley Redfern - the young winger who missed 12 months with a knee injury - is now trudging off.

Stoke City loanee Tom Sparrow is on in his place.

A tense opening to this one, with Raith striker Isma Goncalves heading over the bar from a right-sided cross.

Accies have been forced into an early change. Benny Ashley-Seal - a one-time Wolves youngster - lasts only nine minutes in his full debut. He's injured and replaced by Jean-Pierre Tiehi.

Referee Colin Steven gets us underway in Falkirk.

Remember, you can watch or listen to this one live at the top of this page.

You have to go back almost nine years to the day for an Accies win over Raith - a 3-2 Championship victory in March 2014.

In the eight meetings since then, Raith have won six with two draws - including the spectacular 4-4 in Kirkcaldy last July when Accies came back from 4-0 down.

Raith Rovers have been in three Challenge Cup finals and won all of them, while Accies only have a 50% record in the same final.

And of course, Ian Murray's side are the holders. They beat Queen of the South 3-1 in last year's iteration, with on-loan striker Matej Poplatnik making himself a cult hero with a brace in the final.

Accies last won in 1992, when this competition was known as the B&Q Cup - other DIY and home improvement retailing companies are available. They beat Morton 3-2 that day with goals from Chris Hillcoat and Gary Clark.

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Raith Rovers manager Ian Murray tells Sportsound: "There's been a lot going on. Not always on the park, a lot off the park as well. We're in a national cup final, we've had an incredibly hard path to get here, we've earned our right to be here and now there's one more game to retain the cup.

"Ross got injured just before the Scottish Cup trip to Ibrox. He's recovered far quicker than we thought. He looks like that Ross Millen that I know, he's proved his fitness. The boys won 6-1 last week and you have to be fair to the players that were in possession of the jerseys.

"The players have shown incredible character. We've blooded a lot of young players in, given them their debuts in big games. We've gotten rid of the tag of being soft.

"Accies are a good side who have improved a heck of a lot since the Christmas period."

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Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin tells Sportsound: "We had to make changes after last week, I felt we lacked energy. We need legs, a different approach. We're in survival mode in the league but today, the game is there for the taking and we have to attack right from the word go.

"It's not been easy. I wasn't aware I was getting the job at the start of the season. It was too good an opportunity and I had to take it. We started okay, but took a couple of injuries. We have a lot of young boys in our squad and with that comes inconsistency.

"There was an opportunity to change that in January. We've only got one player starting today who started against Raith at Stark's Park earlier in the season. It's the turnaround we needed to try and give ourselves a chance.

"The players that have come in have been the difference. There's a different mentality in the group, a different energy and a real desire to stay in the league."

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Raith come into this game in terrific form, having dispatched lowly Cove Rangers 6-1 in league action last weekend.

As a result, boss Ian Murray makes only one enforced change. Scott McGill is cup-tied, having played for Hearts B in the first round. He is replaced by Ross Millen.

Hamilton Accies lost 2-0 to Ayr United at home last weekend and John Rankin makes six changes to the side aiming for silverware.

Matthew Shiels, Scott Martin, Lewis Smith, Marley Redfern, Lucas de Bolle and Benny Ashley-Seal come in - with the latter making his first start for the club having signed just over a week ago.

Raith Rovers: MacDonald, Dick, Millen, Nolan, Lang, Spencer, Vaughan, Stanton, Brown, Easton, Goncalves.

Substitutes: McNeil, Thomson, Connolly, McBride, Ngwenya, Ross, Masson.

Hamilton Accies: Fulton, Tumilty, McGowan, O'Reilly, Shiels, Redfern, Martin, L Smith, Mimnaugh, De Bolle, Ashley-Seal.

Substitutes: J Smith, Easton, Zanatta, Sparrow, Stephenson, Tiehi, Winter, Owens, McGinn.