Livingston suffered a shock defeat in the Homecoming Scottish Cup Third Round, losing 2-1 to Third Division opponents East Stirlingshire at Ochilview.

Well taken goals from Eddie Forrest and Brian Graham twice put the home side in the lead and - despite Liam Fox's equaliser before the break - Livi seldom threatened to claw their way back into the match.

Livi were without six first team regulars, with on-loan pair Calum Elliot and Rocco Quinn ineligible and Murray Davidson, Chris Innes, Roddy McKenzie and Leigh Griffiths out injured. Dave Mackay stepped into central defence, Gary Miller filled the right back slot, Joe Hamill returned to the team on the left of midfield and Gordon Smith and Jean Cuenca led the forward line.

Both teams looked eager from the outset but it was 'Shire who would silence the travelling Livi support with only twelve minutes on the clock.

A corner from the right hand side was delivered perfectly onto the right boot of Forrest on the edge of the box, and the midfielder volleyed home completely unmarked through a crowd of players to give the home side the lead.

The Third Division side's lead seemed to increase Livingston's nervousness in the tie, with a frustrating spell following where only Tony McParland seemed the likely man to get his team back in the match with some enthusiastic runs at the home defence.

Despite looking unlikely to find the net after struggling to get into their opponent's area, Liam Fox found the perfect answer with only four minutes left in the first period.

Having scored a long-range effort on Livi's last trip to Ochilview earlier in the season, Fox obliged again with an optimistic left foot shot from 30 yards which was low and deceived Barclay in the 'Shire goal, nestling perfectly in the bottom right corner.

Many expected that lifeline to spur Livingston on for the second half, but instead it was East Stirlingshire who took the initiative yet again early into the second period.

Brian Graham got in down the left hand side behind the Livingston defence and, despite the attention of four Livi players, found the time to place a composed finish across Pierre Martini into the right corner of the goal after 55 minutes.

Things nearly got much worse for Roberto Landi's team minutes later. A misplaced pass from Liam Fox aimed for Jason Talbot allowed Rodgers to break down the right hand side.

His pass found Cramb who attempted an ambitious lob over the advancing Martini which just cleared the crossbar.

Livi struggled to mount a serious attack to get back into the match and were found lacking in the final third, failing to get into the opposition box until the final 10 minutes of the match.

Captain James McPake pushed on in to an attacking role for the final 10 minutes and caused some problems for the 'Shire defence, but his free-kick from 25 yards soon after failed to hit the target as it sailed past the post.

Livi then had a penalty shout as the minutes ticked away with substitute Keaghan Jacobs going down in the area. It wasn't to be, as the referee found against Jacobs and showed him a yellow card, much to the protestation of the Livi players and in particular McPake who was booked for his troubles.

McPake was then to have Livingston's final chance of the game, getting on the end of a McParland free kick from the right, only to see his header flash past the post.