Football: MARK EARNS RICH PICKINGS; IRISH CUP 5TH RD REPLAY: LIMAVADY 1 LINFIELD 2 Supersub sets up money spinning clash at Oval.

Byline: ARTHUR DUFFY

A MARK Picking goal, 20 minutes from time settled this 5th round replay in Linfield's favour to set up a mouth-watering clash with cup holders Glentoran at the Oval.

Picking, dropped from Saturday's line up which drew 1-1 draw at Windsor Park, entered the fray as substitute in the 61st minute with devastating effect to net the winner.

And while David Jeffrey's side certainly deserved to win the fixture, the Limavady defence battled manfully to keep the 'Blues' at bay.

The heavy conditions rendered fluent football almost impossible and it was Linfield who appeared to adapt much better over the 90 minutes.

Indeed the visitors opened in a frenzy and bossed the game for the opening 20 minutes.

During that time Peter Thompson wasted a superb opportunity to break the deadlock after 10 minutes.

With the ball bobbling about inside the penalty area, it broke to the striker but his first time shot was superbly parried by Limavady keeper, Michael Doherty.

However, in the 24th minute, the 'Blues' deservedly moved into the driving seat.

Glenn Ferguson gained possession and his incisive pass forward split the home defence find Michael Gault and he guided the ball home wide of the advancing Doherty.

That goal spurred the home side into action and Limavady were level seven minutes later.

Ryan McIlmoyle found Kevin Ramsey with a pass and as he worked his way into the penalty area Darren Murphy was adjudged to have taken him down and referee, Stephen Weatherall immediately pointed to the spot.

Up stepped right winger, Vincent Sweeney, and he gave Alan Mannus no chance when driving the ball into the net.

After the break Ramsey drove a shot wide after 53 minutes but it was Linfield who began to enjoy the lion's share of the possession.

And their persistence paid off in the 70th minute when Picking, was presented with the easiest of goals.

A long ball forward from midfield by Paul McAreavey saw keeper,Doherty race out to gain possession, however, he failed to gather the ball and Picking curling it into the unguarded net.

With eight minutes remaining Limavady went so close to grabbing an equaliser. Martin Cutmore floated a free into the danger area but Liam Cooley's glancing header sailed narrowly wide of the target.

LIMAVADY: Doherty, Collier, Cutmore, Lynch, Cooley, McCallum, Sweeney, Devenney, Ramsey, Brown, McIlmoyle. Subs: Callaghan and McDonald for Devenney and Ramsey respectively (both 79 mins.)

LINFIELD: Mannus, Doughlas, King, McAreavey, Hunter, McCann, Thompson, Gault, Ferguson, Murphy, Bailie. Subs: Picking for McCann (61 mins.), Larmour for Thompson (74 mins.)

REFEREE: Stephen Weatherall (Belfast).

CAPTION(S):

SHOWMEN: Peter Thompson battles with Limavady''s Liam Cooley at the Showgrounds, while Michael Gault, above, celebrates his opening goal; OUT: Tommy Wright