Ross Co 9 Stirling A 0

Ross Co 9 Stirling Albion 0

Scorers: ROSS CO: Keddie, Gardyne (2), Wood (3), Brittain (p), Kettlewell, Morrison

DEREK ADAMS insists Ross County have earned the right to a money-spinning Old Firm tie after annihilating Stirling Albion.

The Dingwall team embarrassed Allan Moore's poor Binos with a relentless display of lethal finishing.

Adams, who will lead County into their first-ever Scottish Cup quarter-final, also saw his side come within two goals of a club record score.

That came in the 1994 Scottish Cup when St Cuthberts were destroyed 11-0, weeks before the club won SFL status.

Adams said: "It was devastating. It would be hard to pick out anything negative in the game.

"To score nine goals against any team, never mind one pressing for promotion to the First Division, is immense.

"What really impressed me was the desire to keep scoring, even though we were so far ahead.

"I'd like to face a big team in the next round - one that would generate good revenue for us.

"You see Dunfermline getting Celtic and that adds a lot of money to the club. We could be doing with that."

Stirling were desperate to cause a shock and land a last-eight draw to help ease their financial woes.

County, though, went straight for the jugular. From Scott Morrison's free-kick, Alex Keddie tore into the six-yard box to thump a header past keeper Scott Christie.

Michael Gardyne then started and finished a great move when he lifted a shot from 12 yards into the corner of the net.

Gardyne netted his 11th goal of the season after 20 minutes when he tore onto a loose ball 22 yards out and ripped his shot high into the net.

Christie pulled off three great saves before the break, but County struck again after 55 minutes.

Richard Brittain's low cross found Garry Wood to apply a simple finish.

Four minutes later, Wood fired the fifth low from the edge of the box. Brittain netted No6 from the spot after Wood was fouled by Ross Forsyth.

Sub Stuart Kettlewell forced in the seventh after 82 minutes when a Steven Watt header crashed off the underside of the bar.

Moments later Morrison's free-kick from 35 yards eluded everyone to hit the net before Wood clinched his hat-trick in the final minute.

Bino manager Moore groaned: "It's an embarrassment to myself and to the club.

"I feel sorry for the fans who paid good money to come up here and for my chairman, not least with the troubles at the club.

"I'm embarrassed to show my face at work on Monday. That's the worst moment of my life in football."

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