Last updated on .From the section Football

The East Fife defence look on as Daniel Armstrong's corner bounces into the net

Daniel Armstrong's bizarre debut goal direct from a corner helped Ross County defeat East Fife to earn a place in the Scottish Challenge Cup final.

The 21-year-old's cross curled straight into the net in Dingwall, with Declan McManus turning in a second.

Anton Dowds pulled one back for East Fife within two minutes to give hope of a comeback.

But County held firm to secure a date with either Connah's Quay or Edinburgh City in the final.

It was a controlled and dominant display from the hosts in the first half, who went into the tie after rescuing a Scottish Cup replay against Inverness Calednian Thistle on Monday night.

Armstrong's in-swinging corner on 18 minutes deceived everyone to bounce in at the far post and give the hosts a deserved lead.

By the time their advantage was doubled eight minutes before the break as McManus pounced on a rebound from Ross Stewart's initial shot, the writing looked on the wall for Darren Young's men.

Dowds' glancing header, which appeared to take a deflection off County man Tom Grivosti, was the unexpected lifeline that arrived almost immediately for his side.

And they did up their game in the second half and Kevin Smith was unlucky not to win a penalty as he appeared to be nudged by Harry Paton.

Josh Mullin had the chance to kill the game off with a quick breakaway, but he was superbly denied by East Fife's heroic keeper Brett Long.