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Saturday Clockwatch

Sat 02 Feb, 09:12 PM


1700: So the afternoon's action in the Premier League ends with Manchester United in high spirits following their last-gasp equaliser against Tottenham but the failure to win does mean they trail Arsenal by two points at the top after the Gunners beat Manchester City 3-1 earlier today. Chelsea are now six points off the pace following a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth while in the race for fourth spot Everton were held to a goalless draw with fellow European hopefuls Blackburn. At the other end of the table Bolton picked up a huge three points with a 2-0 win at Reading, Birmingham could only draw 1-1 with rock-bottom Derby while Wigan improved their chances of beating the drop with a 1-0 win over West Ham.

In the Scottish Cup Aberdeen joined Celtic in the next round with a narrow 1-0 win over Hamilton while Queen of the South beat Morton 2-0 in their fifth-round encounter. The games between Livingston and Partick and St Mirren and Dundee United both ended 0-0.

It was a good day for Championship leaders West Brom who scraped a 2-1 win at home to Burnley while second-placed Bristol City have slipped three points off the pace following a 3-0 loss at QPR. Earlier today Stoke boosted their automatic promotion hopes with a 2-1 win over Cardiff while Ipswich picked up their first away win of the season at Sheffield Wednesday to move into the play-off places. Elsewhere there were wins for Coventry, Norwich, Hull and Scunthorpe while the other games were draws.

Dropping into League One and Gary McAllister's first match in charge of Leeds ended in a 2-0 defeat at home to Tranmere, who moved into the play-off places as a result. At the top Swansea are 10 points clear after beating Oldham 2-1 while Doncaster are second following their 3-0 thumping of Millwall. In a crucial clash between two fellow promotion contenders, Carlisle edged out Walsall 2-1.

In League Two the leaders MK Dons beat sorry Bury 5-1 at Gigg Lane to go eight points clear of Darlington, who slipped to a 2-0 loss at Wrexham. In the big game between Rotherham and Hereford, the Bulls sneaked it 1-0.

1656: It's now all over at Fratton Park and Chelsea have dropped two crucial points in their title push following a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.

1655: Portsmouth are pushing for a late winner against Chelsea but Defoe's fizzing shot from 20 yards just goes wide of the post.

1654: Late drama at White Hart Lane, Nani's corner from the right is met by a neat finish by Tevez from three yards out to level the scores. But it could be an own goal for Michael Dawson on a second look. What a boost that is for Manchester United's title charge! It's virtually the last kick of the game and it's all over. It ends 1-1 at White Hart Lane.

1653 The final whistle has sounded at Reading and Bolton have picked up their first away win of the season and what a crucial three points this could be for the Trotters.

1652 Paul Dickov has pounced on his debut for Blackpool at the death to surely give his new side a 2-1 win over Leicester.

1650 Blackburn's Santa Cruz comes close to scoring a winner but he scoops his half-volley effort over the bar from inside the box.

1649 A goal at Carrow Road and a stunning goal from Darel Russell has seemingly won it for Norwich against Preston.

1648 Derby are pushing for an equaliser and a devilish cross into the box is headed into the net by Emanuel Villa to damage Birmingham's survival hopes. It's 1-1 at St Andrews.

1647: Manchester United are pushing for an equaliser, however they seem unable to get in a shooting position despite having the majority of the possession.

1646 In the Championship Coventry have notched up a fourth with Leon Best getting his second of the game. Meanwhile at Selhurst Park, Stern John has poked the ball home to equalise for Southampton against Crystal Palace.

1645 Queen of the South have virtually booked themselves in the next round of the Scottish Cup after scoring a second against Morton through John Stewart. It's now 2-0.

1644 Andy Johnson has scored for Everton late on and surely the Toffees are going to beat Blackburn. But no, wait, it's been disallowed and it remains 0-0 at Ewood Park. Replays show the striker was offside in the first phrase of play, and not when he scored.

1643 Bolton have the ball in the net again at Reading but the referee has blown for a foul against Davies before his cross for Nolan to score.

1642 Back at White Hart Lane, it looks like Robbie Keane is about to get a shot in on the Manchester United goal until Rio Ferdinand produces a super challenge to win the ball. It's still 1-0 to Spurs but another goal looks like it could be on the cards.

1641: Bury are having a day to forget in League Two with Kevin Gallen making it 5-0 in MK Dons' favour.

1640: Reading keep pushing forward but Kevin Doyle's header drifts over the bar and they are running out of time to cut Bolton's 2-0 lead.

1639: Doncaster seem to have clinched a crucial victory in League One with James Coppinger putting them 2-0 up on Millwall.

1638: Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard claws away a free kick from Bentley on the left which seemed to be heading for the top corner and still it's 0-0 at Ewood Park.

1637: Coventry are home and dry against Barnsley now with Jay Tabb making it 3-0 with just 15 minutes to play.

1636: The deadlock has finally been broken at Selhurst Park where Jamie Scowcroft has forced the ball home to give Crystal Palace the lead against Southampton.

1635: Carlisle have edged in front against fellow League One promotion rivals Walsall with Danny Graham finding the net.

1634: Reading are trying everything to find a way back into the game against Bolton but somehow the Trotters are holding firm and protecting their 2-0 advantage.

1633: Blackburn's Benni McCarthy plays a neat one-two with Santa Cruz before being brought down in the area by Jagielka but no penalty is given despite the appeals. Replays are inconclusive.

1632: In the Championship Alan Lee has popped up for Ipswich to put his side ahead against Sheffield Wednesday while Julian Gray has doubled Coventry's advantage against Barnsley.

1631: Reading's Shorey tries his luck from distance but Jaaskelainen makes a great save and Bolton still lead 2-0.

1630: Mark Wright has completed his hat-trick for MK Dons as they are punishing Bury 4-0 in their League Two battle.

1629: The deadlock has been broken at St Andrews with Sebastian Larsson sliding home a cross and Birmingham lead Derby 1-0.

1628: It's going from bad to worse for McAllister at Leeds with Tranmere now leading 2-0 following Ian Moore's effort.

1627: Colchester's lead didn't last long. David Carney has blasted a shot into the net and now Sheffield United are level at 2-2.

1626: On his Portsmouth debut, Defoe has scored and it's now 1-1 in their clash against Chelsea. It was a lovely finish from Milan Baros' flick.

1625: Colchester have come from behind to lead 2-1 against Sheffield United after Johnnie Jackson's free kick took a wicked deflection to find the net. Meanwhile in the Championship Scunthorpe are in front against Charlton thanks to Martin Paterson's strike.

1624: It looks like curtains for Bristol City because they now trail QPR 3-0 following Akos Buzsaky's fantastic goal at Loftus Road. Meanwhile Steve Howard has levelled for Leicester at Blackpool.

1623: In the Championship leaders West Brom have taken a 2-1 lead over Burnley thanks to Roman Bednar and their march to promotion looks like it'll take another giant step.

1622: Everton's Fernandes curls a free kick over the wall but with Blackburn goalkeeper Friedel rooted to the spot, the ball hits the post. Still 0-0 at Ewood Park.

1621: Gary McAllister's first game in charge of Leeds isn't going too well. Tranmere's Jennison Myrie-Williams has just given Rovers the lead.

1620: Aberdeen have broken the resistance of Hamilton in their Scottish Cup tie with Alexander Diamond giving them a 1-0 lead.

1618: Returning to White Hart Lane, Berbatov slides Robbie Keane through one-on-one with Van der Sar. However the Tottenham striker fluffs his shot and allows the Dutchman to save with ease.

1617: Nicolas Anelka's clinical finish has put Chelsea into a 1-0 lead over Portsmouth at Fratton Park and with Manchester United losing at Spurs, this is great news for Avram Grant.

1616: After all the Reading pressure, Bolton have struck on the counter with Heidar Helguson, who tucks his effort past Hahnemann into the net. The Trotters lead the Royals 2-0.

1615: Chelsea's Ashely Cole has a shot cleared off the line by Hermann Hreidarsson so still no goal here at Fratton Park.

1613: Derby come so close to opening the scoring against Birmingham but Kenny Miller's drive hits the inside of the post and Craig Fagan can't put in the rebound.

1611: Reading have now woken up and are stretching Bolton's defence as they keep desperately searching for an equaliser. There's been a few mad scrambles in the box but it's still 1-0 to Bolton.

1610: Portsmouth's Defoe works an opening for himself inside the Chelsea area but he can't get his shot away and the chance is lost.

1609: Reading come within a whisker of equalising against Bolton with a Nicky Shorey header but after his effort is cleared off the line, the Trotters are able to clear.

1608: At Ewood Park meanwhile, Manuel Fernandes has just missed a golden chance for Everton, with Friedel saving well for Blackburn.

1607: Bolton are now in control against Reading and Heidar Helguson's fierce volley just goes wide so it remains 1-0 to the visitors.

1606: There's been an early goal in the second half at Layer Road with Kevin Lisbie's powerful volley finding the net. It's now 1-1 between Colchester and Sheffield United.

1605: The second-half is under way at White Hart Lane and Manchester United have made a change at the break with Michael Carrick coming on for Owen Hargreaves.

1604: We finally have a goal in the Scottish Cup and it's come from Dean O'Connor who has given Queen of the South a 1-0 lead over Morton.

1603: The players are running back onto their respective pitches as the action gets back under way so stay tuned with us for all the latest major updates.

1552: It's half time at White Hart Lane and Tottenham will be very happy with their deserved 1-0 lead over Manchester United. Elsewhere in the Premier League Chelsea are being held by Portsmouth at Fratton Park while the clash between European hopefuls Blackburn and Everton also remains goalless. Bolton are edging a crucial relegation clash with Reading 1-0, Wigan lead West Ham 1-0 while Birmingham and Derby are deadlocked at 0-0.

In the Scottish Cup all the 1500 GMT games remain 0-0 although Celtic crushed Kilmarnock 5-1 earlier today.

In the Championship leaders West Brom are being held by Burnley 1-1 but second-placed Bristol City are losing 2-0 in their clash at QPR. ElsewhereBlackpool, Sheffield United, Coventry and Hull are all winning with the other games all level.

Dropping into League One and Swansea have beaten Oldham 2-1 in the early kick-off while second placed Doncaster are winning away at Millwall as fellow promotion hopefuls Walsall and Nottingham Forest are drawing and losing in their games against Carlisle and Bournemouth respectively.

And in League Two the runaway leaders MK Dons are cruising at Bury 3-0 while Darlington trail at Wrexham and third-placed Rotherham are losing 1-0 in their big game with Hereford, who lie just one place below them in our live league table.

1551: Hull's Dean Windass has also scored just before the break to give Hull a 1-0 lead over Plymouth.

1550: The half-time whistles are sounding across the country but at the JJB Stadium Kevin Kilbane has just struck to give Wigan a crucial 1-0 lead over West Ham.

1549: Febian Brandy looks to have snatched a 2-1 victory for Swansea against Oldham as we head into the closing stages of this early League One kick-off.

1548: Back at White Hart Lane, Tom Huddlestone fires a free-kick from 25 yards out into the Manchester United wall. That was certainly not as good as Ronaldo's midweek effort.

1547: Sheffield United are now leading Colchester 1-0 and it really was a brilliant goal from Luton Shelton.

1545: Everton come agonsingly close to taking the lead at Ewood Park with Phil Jagielka's header cleared off the line by Dunn. And the half-time whistle has now gone with the scores level at 0-0.

1544: Doncaster, second place in League One, could take advantage of Swansea's failure to beat Oldham because they now lead 1-0 at Millwall.

1543: Manchester United's Patrice Evra falls to the ground after tangling with Lennon in the Tottenham box. The referee waves play-on and that looks like the right decision.

1542: Leon Best has finished a superb Coventry move with a great turn and strike to put them in front against Barnsley in their Championship clash.

1541: Rovers are on the attack at Ewood Park but another Bentley 'special' goes flying over the bar once again. It's Blackburn 0 Everton 0.

1540: Blackburn's David Dunn, who was previously booked for a foul earlier, is lucky to stay on the pitch after the referee decided not to punish him for a deliberate handball in midfield.

1539: There isn't long to go in the match between League One leaders Swansea and Oldham but it's now 1-1 after Craig Davies' equaliser for the Latics from the spot.

1538: MK Dons are flying against Bury as they maintain their quest for promotion. It's now 3-0 with Mark Wright grabbing his second of the game.

1537: In the Championship Agyemang has struck again for QPR, who now lead Bristol City 2-0 at Loftus Road.

1537: The ball is in the net at St Andrews for Birmingham but Garry O'Connor's effort has been ruled out for offside.

1536: Tottenham are still on top against Manchester United and nearly double their lead when Berbatov fires a volley just over the top from inside the box.

1535: Bolton lump a long ball forward into the box which Kevin Davies heads down to Kevin Nolan who expertly sweeps his shot into the net to give the Trotters a 1-0 lead against Reading.

1534: At White Hart Lane Jenas' corner from the right is headed wide of Edwin van der Sar's far-post by Berbatov. Tottenham are looking good value for their lead at the moment.

1533: Blackburn's Bentley tries his luck from distance but the ball flies over the bar at Ewood Park.

1532: Portsmouth striking duo Defoe and Milan Baroshaven't caused any problems for Chelsea yet this afternoon and it's still 0-0 at Fratton Park.

1531: Bolton seem to have grown in confidence despite missing that penalty and this will come as some consolation to their travelling support.

1530: Nottingham Forest have fallen 2-0 behind at Bournemouth with Sam Vokes crashing a right-foot shot from the edge of the box into the net for his second of the game.

1528: West Brom have clawed their way back to 1-1 against Burnley at The Hawthorns with Bostjan Cesar finding the net.

1527: Everton's Mikel Arteta embarks on a fine run at Ewood Park and his superb shot from 20 yards is tipped wide by Brad Friedel. From the resulting corner Leon Osman shoots wide from the edge of the box. It's still 0-0 but that was the Toffees' best chance so far.

1526: Walsall have boosted their promotion hopes by taking a 1-0 lead against Carlisle in their League One clash. The goal coming from Lee Holmes.

1525: In League Two the leaders MK Dons have extended their advantage to 2-0 against Bury with Lloyd Dyer on the mark.

1523: Matthew Taylor steps up to take it but Marcus Hahnemann makes a fine save down to his left. Poor penalty though and Bolton just can't score at the moment.

1522: Bolton have slowly worked their way back into the game against Reading and now have a penalty after Gretar Steinsson was brought down by Marek Matejovsky inside the box.

1521: At White Hart Lane Jermaine Jenas is knocked to the ground by Owen Hargreaves in the Manchester United penalty area. The ball breaks to Aaron Lennon who plays a neat pass to Dimitar Berbatov on the edge of the six-yard box. The Spurs striker cooly fires home to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

1521: QPR have the lead against promotion hopefuls Bristol City thanks to Patrick Agyemang's effort.

1520: Derby debutant Carroll is called into action at St Andrews and he makes a great save from Sebastian Larsson's free kick for Birmingham.

1519: Leroy Lita nearly pounces for Reading but Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen races off his line to deny the striker on the edge of the box.

1518: It's half-time between Wrexham and Darlington with the hosts leading 1-0.

1517: It's very scrappy at Ewood Park were the two European hopefuls are finding chances hard to come buy. So it remains Blackburn 0 Everton 0.

1516: Reading are still piling on the pressure against Bolton in what is a crucial scrap at the bottom of the table and you just have to wonder how long the Trotters can hold on for. The Royals look much quicker and sharper but it remains goalless.

1515: Kapo is again causing problems for Derby at St Andrews but this time the Birmingham man drills a firm shot into the arms of Roy Carroll.

1514: Portsmouth are being roared on by a noisy Fratton Park crowd against Chelsea but debutant Jermain Defoe has yet to find the scoresheet - still 0-0.

1513: Back in the Championship, Sheffield Wednesday have levelled matters against Ipswich with a goal from Marcus Tudgay.

1512: League Two leaders MK Dons have taken an early lead against Bury thanks to Mark Wright.

1511: Dropping into League One and Leeds are on top in Gary McAllister's first game as boss against Tranmere but it's also 0-0 at Elland Road.

1510: At White Hart Lane Carlos Tevez breaks forward and finds Wes Brown on the edge of the Tottenham penalty area. However, all the Manchester United defender can do is send a wayward effort over the bar.

1509: Oliver Kapo has just missed with a free header for Birmingham against Derby and hereally should have done better. Still 0-0 here.

1508: Reading are all over Bolton at the moment but the visitors are defending stoutly but still it remains goalless.

1507: Gary Taylor-Fletcher has given Blackpool a 1-0 lead against Leicester in their Championship clash at Bloomfield Road.

1507: There's a brisk tempo to the game at the JJB Stadium and West Ham are so far looking the better side against struggling Wigan.

1505: There just has to be goals at White Hart Lane this afternoon between Tottenham and Manchester United but although it's been an open start, it remains goalless.

1504: Staying in the Championship, James O'Conner has slotted home from just four yards after poor defending to put Burnley in front against West Brom at The Hawthorns.

1503: Ipswich have taken the lead against Sheffield Wednesday with Alan Quinn firing home for the Tractor Boys.

1502: Reading are also looking good in the early stages of their match with Bolton but the Trotters are holding on.

1501: Blackburn have got off to a bright start at Ewood Park against Everton with David Bently's corner narrowly headed wide by Roque Santa Cruz.

1500: So we're now under way across the UK and we'll bring you all the latest updates from the major action in England and up in Scotland where the fifth round of the Scottish Cup takes centre stage.

1456: Irn-Bru First Division leaders Hamilton line up against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup Fifth Round - five days after being knocked out by Brechin.

A second replay was ordered after Hamilton pointed out that Brechin's on-loan Aberdeen teenager Michael Paton was ineligible.

City were then expelled after it emerged a second player, Willie Dyer, had also been signed after the original tie.

Aberdeen hand a debut to on-loan Middlesbrough midfielder Josh Walker while fellow newcomer Alan Maybury is on the bench.

Darren Mackie makes his first start since October following injury problems while former Dundee United defender Stuart Duff makes his full debut.

The injured Jamie Smith drops out alongside Jackie McNamara, while Derek Young was demoted to the bench following last weekend's 1-0 home defeat by Hearts.

Hamilton boss Billy Reid makes six changes after resting key players for the Brechin clash, with goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell and midfielders Simon Mensing and James McCarthy among those recalled.

1456: Wigan boss Steve Bruce and West Ham counterpart Alan Curbishley both make two changes following different results in midweek.

Bruce drops Titus Bramble and Marcus Bent to the bench, instead preferring Emmerson Boyce and Ryan Taylor following the 1-0 loss at Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

After a 1-0 victory over Liverpool, Matthew Etherington and Dean Ashton return to the Hammers line-up ahead of the benched Lee Bowyer and the dropped Luis Boa Morte.

Striker Craig Bellamy is at least an option for Curbishley again, with the Welshman named as a substitute after three months out with an abdominal injury.

1454: It's half-time in the early League One kick-off between Swansea and Oldham where it is currently goalless. Meanwhile in League Two Wrexham have scored the opener against Darlington in a game which kicked off at 1430 GMT.

1453: New boy Jermain Defoe makes his Portsmouth debut against Chelsea in place of Benjani Mwaruwari - with the Zimbabwean still in limbo after the dramatic collapse of his move to Manchester City on Thursday night.

Pompey make two other changes, with centre-back Sylvain Distin replaced by Hermann Hreidarsson and Richard Hughes coming in for Lauren.

Avram Grant, Pompey's former technical director whohas lost just two games in 30 since taking over as Chelsea manager, also makes three changes - bringing back Ashley Cole for Wayne Bridge at the back where Tal Ben Haim and Juliano Belletti are recalled with Ricardo Carvalho serving a suspension.

Chelsea, just seven points off the Premier League pace at kick-off time, are chasing a club-record 10th win in a row and also a 10th consecutive win over Pompey.

1451: St Mirren and Dundee United make two changes to their starting XI from last week for their Scottish Cup fifth-round clash at Love Street.

Saints boss Gus MacPherson restores Gary Mason and striker Craig Dargo to his line-up after neither featured in the 4-0 defeat by Rangers at Ibrox last week.

Skipper Hugh Murray drops to the bench and Garry Brady was left out.

New Buddies striker Jim Hamilton is cup tied after his arrival from Dunfermline.

Meanwhile, United boss Craig Levein selects his first side since the high-profile departure of skipper Barry Robson to Celtic.

He promotes Prince Buaben from the bench and finds a place in defence for Lee Wilkie with Garry Kenneth missing out from the side that defeated Aberdeen last week.

1450: Birmingham manager Alex McLeish hands a first Premier League start of the campaign to defender Martin Taylor against Derby at St Andrews.

Taylor, who had been told by McLeish he could leave the club in January, comes into the starting line-up in place of Rafael Schmitz.

Full-back David Murphy, signed from Hibernian for £1.5million, is handed his debut at the expense of Franck Queudrue.

Derby boss Paul Jewell hands debuts to deadline-day signings Alan Stubbs and Roy Carroll.

Former Birmingham midfielder Robbie Savage is included in the starting line-up along with Hossam Ghaly, who had trained with the home side in pre-season only to fall out with the then manager Steve Bruce.

1445: Reading hand a first start to January signing Marek Matejovsky, the Czech Republic midfielder, and recall striker Dave Kitson after he had been forced to miss the midweek defeat at Chelsea because of illness in a crucial Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton.

Winger John Oster drops to the bench and Bobby Convey misses out with a cut shin.

Bolton make four changes following their goalless draw with fellow strugglers Fulham in midweek. In comes Ivan Campo, new £5million signing from Aston Villa Gary Cahill and forwards Kevin Davies and Heidar Helguson.

Both sides have a Senegal player on the bench following their exit from the African Nations Cup, with Reading's Ibrahima Sonko and Bolton's El-Hadji Diouf flying back in time.

1440: The final whistle has gone in the day's early kick-off in the Premier League and Arsenal have become the first team to win at Eastlands in the league this season, with a 3-1 victory against Manchester City.

1439: Everton are handed a major boost after midfield duo Tim Cahill and Leon Osman passed fitness tests and return to the starting XI at Blackburn.

Leading scorer Cahill, who has netted nine times this season, shrugs off a hamstring strain and Osman does likewise with a groin problem.

Nuno Valente and Victor Anichebe are relegated to the substitutes' bench as a result in the only two changes from the side which drew 0-0 with Tottenham in midweek.

Zurab Khizanishvili replaces the suspended Christopher Samba at centre-back in Blackburn's only change.

1438: Alan Hutton makes his Tottenham debut in the Barclays Premier League clash at White Hart Lane against Manchester United, a team he was linked with before moving from Rangers.

There is also room in the Spurs line-up for fellow right-back Pascal Chimbonda, while Michael Dawsonreturns from suspension and Jamie O'Hara drops to the bench.

New signing Gilberto does not make the squad and Ledley King's knee is not risked again.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson brings back Owen Hargreaves into his starting XI, along with Ryan Giggs and Carlos Tevez.

Michael Carrick and Nani drop to the bench from the side that defeated Portsmouth in midweek but Park Ji-Sung is not in the squad.

1437: The afternoon's team news is starting to come in and we will begin with the news from Spurs' clash with Manchester United.

1436: The final whistle has gone in the Championship and Stoke have beaten Cardiff 2-1 to move, for the time being, to third in the table.

1355: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink pulls a goal back for Cardiff at Stoke. Still 2-1 to the home side, though.

1353: Celtic win 5-1 and secure their place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

1349: Ricardo Fuller wins and then scores a penalty to double Stoke's lead in the Championship clash against Cardiff.

1346: Georgios Samaras' first Celtic goal puts the Bhoys 5-1 up at Kilmarnock.

1330: So much for the Killie comeback. McDonald's second restores Celtic's three-goal lead.

1329: Kilmarnock are not giving up at Rugby Park - they've pulled a goal back through Jamie Hamill. About 23 minutes remain for them to pull off an unlikely comeback, still trailing 3-1.

1322: Jan Vennegoor adds a third for Celtic, who are surely heading through in the Scottish Cup now.

1319: A Roger Johnson own goal gives Stoke the lead against Cardiff.

1315: Celtic double their lead over Kilmarnock through Gary Caldwell.

1230: The day's Championship action is under way, with promotion-chasers Stoke and Cardiff in action at the Britannia Stadium.

1222: The day's first goal comes in the Scottish Cup clash between Kilmarnock and Celtic, where Scott McDonald has put the Hoops ahead midway through the first half.

1200: Kilmarnock and Celtic kick-off the afternoon's action in the Scottish Cup fifth round.

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