Championship side Livingston booked their place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 victory over third-tier Cove Rangers, thanks to goals from Ryan McGowan and substitute Tete Yengi.

McGowan opened the scoring from close range, reacting quickest to turn in Reece McAlear’s free-kick for his first goal of the season. Adelaide-born Yengi then took centre stage, twice finding the bottom right corner to take his tally for the campaign to six.

Cove, managed by Paul Hartley, were aiming to reach the last eight for the first time in their history, but they will rue missed opportunities. Jerome Prior denied Findlay Marshall with a smart save, while Will Gillingham sent a header narrowly wide. The visitors also came agonisingly close when 11-goal striker Mitch Megginson clipped the outside of the post with a 20-yard effort.

Experience was in no short supply across both sides. Livingston’s Stevie May has twice lifted the Scottish Cup with St Johnstone, while defensive duo McGowan and Danny Wilson have previously triumphed with Hearts and Rangers. Cove, meanwhile, had cup-winning pedigree in Hartley, who tasted success with Hearts and Celtic, and captain Fraser Fyvie, a Scottish Cup winner with Hibernian after earlier lifting the FA Cup with Wigan.

Fyvie had one of Cove’s best openings, but his strike was straight at Prior after a well-worked corner routine. At the other end, Cove’s goalkeeper Nick Suman produced an outstanding stop to deny Dan Finlayson’s powerful header, but he could do little about Yengi’s ruthless finishing. The striker’s first came from Wilson’s knockdown, while Lewis Smith set him up for his second to seal the win.

What They Said

Livingston manager David Martindale:
“Three goals and a clean sheet is maybe a bit harsh on Cove, who had their chances. We deserved to go through, but 3-0 flatters us a little. The lads showed great energy and intensity after a tough eight days—I’ve given them Monday off, they’ve earned it.”

Cove Rangers manager Paul Hartley:
“We created some excellent chances but just weren’t clinical enough. The boys gave it everything, and I can’t fault the effort. Of course, we’re disappointed to be out, but I was pleased with the performance. Now our focus shifts to the league—we’ve got 14 games to make something happen.”