The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
McLaughlin hat-trick sees off students
Neil McLaughlin hit a hat-trick as Partick Thistle Under-20s coasted into the Irn-Bru Cup second round after a 6-1 win over Stirling University.
McLaughlin’s 15th-minute strike sent Thistle into the break with a narrow 1-0 lead but they took control after the interval with further efforts from Mark Lamont, McLaughlin, Kevin Nisbet and Aidan Fitzpatrick.
Blair Lyons pulled one back for the overmatched visitors before McLaughlin completed his treble 11 minutes from time.
A hat-trick from Aidan Smith saw Annan Athletic beat Celtic U20s 3-1 after the Hoops saw Wallace Duffy red-carded just nine minutes into the contest.
Hibernian U20s and Kilmarnock U20s will also take no further part in the competition after home defeats to Elgin City and Berwick Rangers respectively.
Hamilton U20s beat Edinburgh City 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Ryan Tierney and Hearts U20s needed extra time to beat Formartine United 3-2 thanks to a winner from Harrison Paton in the final minute of extra time.
There were also wins in the northern section for Livingston and Cove Rangers.
Livi surprised Morton, who have enjoyed a fine start to the championship campaign, with a 2-0 win at Cappielow.
Former Cowdenbeath defender Nikolay Todorov and Fraser Mullen sealed the win for David Hopkin’s side.
Cove Rangers surprised Stenhousemuir at Ochilview with a 2-0 victory thanks to strikes from Mitch Megginson and an own goal.
Stranraer, Queen of the South, Albion Rovers and St Mirren were also victorious in the south.
Lewis Morgan struck a late winner for the Buddies to see off Lowland League East Kilbride 2-1 at New St Mirren Park, while Stranraer came from behind to beat Clyde 3-2, Queen of the South beat Airdrieonians 4-0 and Albion Rovers beat Spartans 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.