Darvel 1-5 Falkirk: Bairns end Darvel Scottish Cup dream to set up Ayr United quarter-final date

Darvel could not repeat their Scottish Cup heroics as Falkirk defeated their sixth-tier hosts to book a place in the quarter-finals against Ayr.

But the floodgates opened after Chris McGowan’s red card with Liam Henderson, Aidan Nesbitt and Craig McGuffie scoring late on to put an end to Darvel’s fairy tale.

The visitors’ reward is a home tie against Championship side Ayr, with the victor heading to Hampden Park for the semis.

Scrambling one off the line early on, Darvel, who beat Aberdeen in the previous round in what is now looked upon as the tournament’s biggest ever shock, could only hold out for 22 minutes. Nesbitt won the ball near the halfway line and drove forward, putting Oliver through with a defence-splitting pass, and the striker finished calmly.

Fifteen seconds after the restart, Falkirk had their second. Henderson assisted this time, curling a through ball that Callumn Morrison hit first time between the keeper’s legs.

Darvel did their utmost to find a way back into the match, with McGowan forcing PJ Morrison into two good saves. However, the goalie was caught out by a McShane cross at his front post, which he turned into his own net.

There would be no happy ending for the sixth-tier side. McGowan was then sent off for a second yellow card and John McGlynn’s side took full advantage.

Firstly, Henderson looped a perfect header into the top corner before Nesbitt’s brilliant curled finish gave Falkirk a two-goal cushion, and McGuffie made it 5-1 when he capitalised on a Chris Truesdale mistake.

Player of the Match – Callumn Morrison (Falkirk)

What they said

Darvel boss Mick Kennedy: “I’m slightly deflated. I’m disappointed with the two goals we lose first-half. The reality is you can’t go down to 10 men against that standard of team.

“I’m immensely proud of everything the players have achieved to date. It’s been a remarkable journey and I’m grateful for that.”

Falkirk manager John McGlynn: “Credit to our players to respond and get that third goal. I thought our players rose to the challenge. It was as a big challenge coming here today, congrats to Mick and his team. They’ve been different class and were good tonight again.

“The big dangle of the carrot was the finance. All football clubs are struggling and Falkirk are no different. This will be a big help.”