Fort William are through to the quarter finals of the HITS North of Scotland Cup after coming from a goal down to see off the threat of Muir of Ord Rovers at a rain-soaked Claggan Park. The Lochaber side displayed some early-season rustiness in front of goal but a trio of second half goals sealed their progress. Calum Maclean's men will now host Nairn County in a fortnight.

It was the Fort who made the brighter start and just three minutes in, Muir of Ord goalkeeper Robert Rose did well to keep out a Danny Mackintosh effort while barely a minute later, Jonathan Hewitt timed his run to beat the offside trap and run onto a long ball forward from a free kick but Rose comfortably dealt with his shot.

The North Caledonian League side went ahead with their first chance of the game to deal the Fort a blow. A long clearance from the back found Tony Farquhar and his curling shot from the edge of the box beat Fort's stand-in goalkeeper Robert Lewandowski.

Hewitt then saw a free kick from 25 yards saved by Rose on 17 minutes before Mackintosh connected with a corner five minutes later and the Rovers goalkeeper managed to touch it onto the post to the agony of the hosts.

Lewandowski then flapped at a cross with the ball dropping to Farquhar but the goal scorer's shot was deflected wide on 28 minutes. However, it was Fort who finished the half on a high as they continued to press for a leveller.

Five minutes before the break, Stephen Hendry cracked one goalwards from 20 yards but his powerful drive flew past the post before Hewitt was put in on goal by Chris Macleod but he completely missed his kick from six yards.

As the half drew to a close, Hewitt's corner again found Mackintosh but he somehow managed to head wide from six yards when it seemed easier to score as the Fort passed up another glorious chance to get themselves back on level terms.

Half time: Fort William 0 Muir of Ord 1

Gary Calvert beat the offside trap for the visitors shortly after the restart and ran in on goal but he was denied by Lewandowski in the Fort goal. At the other end, Hewitt blasted over the crossbar from 20 yards.

Ten minutes into the second half though, Fort William found themselves back on level terms, although they did it the hard way. Substitute Martin Fahey was in goal when he was brought down by goalkeeper Rose. Referee Douglas Ross pointed to the spot and Chris Macleod stepped up but saw his penalty saved with Rose also managing to get a hand to the young forward's follow up to turn it behind.

Jonathan Hewitt fired the corner kick into the box and Michael Gillespie saw his towering header hacked clear from the goal line with the Fort claiming for a goal. Referee Ross originally signalled for play to continue but after consulting with his linesman, the goal stood.

Muir of Ord were inches away from restoring their lead on the hour mark though. James Skinner's shot from 10 yards was not particularly pure but it trundled beyond Lewandowski, hit the base of the post and rolled agonisingly across the goal line before being cleared.

Scott Morrison then saw his 20-yard free kick deflected and although the nick took it towards Lewandowski, he had already set off towards the ball's original destination but managed to adjust his feet to make the save.

Michael Ellis then went on a foraging run only to see his shot deflected wide on 64 minutes before a great venture forward from Mackintosh saw him in front of goal 15 yards out four minutes later but his effort blocked. Ellis was then judged to have used his arm to control the ball as he went for the follow up.

The Fort finally found their shooting boots in front of goal as they went on to book their place in the last eight of the competition in the final quarter of an hour having previously passed up a number of opportunities.

They went ahead on 76 minutes with a superb solo effort from Jonathan Hewitt. The attacker drove in from the right, skipping past a few challenges before finishing with aplomb beyond the helpless Rose. Then, just two minutes later, Danny Mackintosh got in on the act to secure Fort William's clash with Nairn County in the next round as he lashed the ball home from 18 yards.

Full time: Fort William 3 Muir of Ord Rovers 1
Reporter: David MacDonald