FORMER Gala Fairydean Rovers striker Jamie Gullan was at the centre of a huge controversy during Raith Rovers' Scottish Cup victory over Linlithgow Rose on Tuesday night.

The ex Hibs striker scored a double to take the Kirkcaldy side through to the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.

But should he have had a hat trick?

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Following a goalless first half there was controversy at Prestonfield four minutes after the restart when a through ball was flicked on by Lewis Vaughan, and although Gullan was clearly offside at the time, Alexander Webb’s attempted headed clearance appeared to put him back onside.

Gullan calmly lifted over Rose’s on rushing keeper, Cameron Binnie only to be flagged offside.

Referee Graham Grainger however overruled his assistant to award the goal but then changed his mind. Raith boss Ian Murray was furious.

You can judge for yourself here:

But six minutes later Gullan fired in the opener after beating the offside trap. Binnie rushed from his goal to attempt to clear, forcing the Raith striker wide but he fired into the unguarded net from a tight angle on the right side.

Rovers were starting to take advantage of the extra bit of quality with a few balls in flashing across the face of goal, and a left-footed shot from Scott Brown well-saved, before Gullan hit the post.

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Gullan should have killed the game off when he got in behind Webb again, but Binnie turned his low finish round the post.

He wasn’t to be denied, though: another break through the home defensive line saw Gullan slot a right-footed shot past the keeper, and guarantee Rovers’ place in the next round

Afterwards Murray told Raith TV: “It was a bizarre situation for everybody. It’s such a grey area at the moment and we don’t really know what is happening with the confusion that ensued during that 30 seconds / one minute period.

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“Referees and linesman are finding it difficult as well, understandably. And we have to not be too critical of the officials. They are on the spot and don’t have the luxury of VAR at this level.

“Jamie had two really good finishes and if there is one player for the first goal it’s Jamie Gullan because he hits the ball with such impact and just about always hits the target.

“His second goal was brilliant, really good. I’m delighted for Jamie. He’s had a stop start season. He’s now finding his form with goals and his workrate.”