Brad Spencer scores in extra time as Falkirk beat Stenhousemuir in Scottish Cup

Falkirk captain Brad Spencer picked the perfect moment to notch his first goal of the season as his spectacular extra-time strike at Stenhousemuir sent his team on the way to the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

The midfielder had just missed a much easier chance before finding the net from long range in the 104th minute to break the resolve of a stuffy Stenhousemuir side who had defended well for long periods.

Spencer’s near-post free-kick then set up substitute Barney Stewart to head home and seal a 2-0 win at Ochilview.

Falkirk manager John McGlynn would no doubt have preferred to avoid the extra 30 minutes amid a challenging schedule in the William Hill Premiership but his goalkeeper was never seriously troubled and the derby clash had presented a tricky obstacle.

League 1 leaders Stenhousemuir were unbeaten in 18 home games and thrashed Championship side Morton 4-0 in the previous round.

Falkirk, who were in their opponents’ league position two years ago, had consolidated their place in the Premiership top-six with a midweek win at Livingston and were on the front foot in the early stages.

But Gary Naysmith’s Stenhousemuir side looked solid and organised as they sat in.

Calvin Miller and Ben Broggio were off-target with some difficult chances before Darren Jamieson pulled off a double save from Spencer and Miller in what was the highlight of the first half.

Jamieson also held Broggio’s volley while Matthew Aitken got the hosts’ first effort on target but Scott Bain comfortably saved his header.

Falkirk had the ball in the net inside five minutes of the restart but Louie Marsh was ruled just offside from Miller’s knockdown.

Spencer saw a shot deflected just wide and Jamieson saved headers from Stewart and Spencer as Falkirk pushed for a winner in normal time.

The hosts were rarely offering any attacking threat and Bain easily held Euan O’Reilly’s looping header when called upon.

Spencer had a brilliant chance to win the game in the first period of extra time after being teed up by Kyrell Wilson 15 yards out but the Falkirk captain scuffed a shot well wide.

The midfielder atoned moments later from a much more difficult chance when he collected the ball 30 yards out and let fly into the corner of the net.

Stewart added the second after the break and Wilson fired over from a decent chance as Falkirk looked for a third.