Four new signings were in the Rabs starting line-up for the opening Sectional League Cup match.

Both keepers were only spectators for the first period of the game as play was mainly in mid-field. It came to life however in the 14th minute when Pace's Oates caught Mackie late with a tackle and was shown red by Referee Mulvaney, the tall Rabs striker was assisted off the park with a deep ankle cut and took no further part in the game being replaced by McQuilken.

 Rabs piled on the pressure making their superior numbers count, Pace keeper Hutton had to look sharp to snatch the ball from the toes of Docherty then Murray headed wide, A solo run by Anderson from inside his own half was halted by a timely tackle from Gary McMillan. To their credit Dunipace were defending deeply and frustrating the home side and held out until the 32nd minute when Rob Roy's pressure eventually told with James Orr turning an Anderson cross into his own net.

Dunipace always looked dangerous on the few times they broke into the Rabs half and levelled in the 36th minute, Ryan McCafferty attacking the home defence before passing the ball to ex-Rabs player Barry Rodger who slid the ball back to McCafferty who shot home from the edge of the penalty box. McQuilken had a chance to put the Adamslie side in front but Hutton made a wonderful save to push his goal bound effort around the post and a minute later he connected with a Fulton corner striking the upright with Hutton beaten. On the stroke of half-time Anderson sent a screamer just over the bar.

                             Half-Time ; Rob Roy 1 v Dunipace 1

Four minutes into the second half Lennox squandered a glorious chance to put Rabs ahead blasting his shot over the bar from close range. Rabs made their first change in the 50th minute sending on Gray for Ward. Fulton found the net for Rabs only to be denied by the assistants flag. Pace keeper Hutton made a good save from Gray then the substitute who was making an impact on the game clattered the post with a shot from the edge of the box. At the other end Bell did well to push a McPhail 25 yard free-kick away for a corner, from the resultant flagkick Rabs defence failed to clear, Wright nipped in to head on to Kieron McIllduff who headed home although the ball appeared to be deflected off MacDonald on its way into the net.

With 20 minutes remaining Rabs made their second substitution with Moore replacing Docherty. Anderson had a shot cleared off the line by Orr then at the other end Maxwell did the same to prevent Wrights header puting Pace two ahead. Seven minutes from the end Moore fired into the net but again the far side assistant raised his flag, a minute later Rabs were reduced to10 men when Murray was given his second yellow card for a foul on Wright.

Just as the Rabs support resigned themselves to a first match defeat Dunipace were hit by a stoppage time sucker punch when Andy Moore on his Rabs debut capitalised on a Hutton error to fire home from an acute angle the celebrations had hardly died down when the home side snatched the winner McQuilken sent Moore free, keeper Hutton could only palm out his power shot it fell kindly for Grant Anderson and last season's top goal scorer made no mistake to begin scenes of delight on and off the park with manager John Richardson sprinting from the dug out area to join in.

                        Full Time; Rob Roy 3 v Dunipace 2

Verdict; What a Finish; The game is never over until the final blast of the referee's whistle and that's what Rabs did and it rewarded them with all three points and they will go into the Duncansfield derby on Wednesday with confidence. To their credit Dunipace although handicapped by playing under strength for 76 minutes stuck to the task and losing two late goals will be a sore one to take.

Ref Watch; Referee Alan Mulvaney kept a firm lid on the match and his sending off's were probably warranted. Used the advantage rule intelligently. Chastised by the Dunipace bench at the end for his time-keeping ability but over the 90+ minutes had a sound match.