St Mirren and St Johnstone go marching out as Annan top the table
LEAGUE 2 Annan became the first team to progress through the Premier Sports Cup group stages following a dramatic finale against Ayr.
Elsewhere, cinch Premiership sides St Mirren and St
Johnstone saw their hopes of going through ended.
Ten-man Annan were looking for a point to progress in their final game and got it in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Fraser Bryden slotted home in the 70th minute to put Ayr ahead and Dominic Docherty then picked up two yellow cards, but Tony Wallace equalised from the spot five minutes into stoppage-time.
Annan had already clinched top spot in Group F before edging a penalty shoot-out to clinch a bonus point.
The result ended St Johnstone’s hopes of progressing despite a first win of the season. Goals from Adam Montgomery, Melker Hallberg, Stevie May and Cammy Ballantyne saw them cruising at Elgin before they conceded twice late on in a 4-2 win.
St Mirren saw their hopes of winning their group end when they lost 2-0 at Airdrie to suffer a second defeat.
Greg Kiltie was sent off for the Buddies in the 33rd minute following a challenge on Euan Deveney and Justin Devenny netted his third goal of the season on the rebound midway through the second half. Kyan Gunn added a second deep into stoppage-time.
The Diamonds are now on seven points – two points behind Arbroath – and have a real chance of progression.
Raith Rovers won a penalty shoot-out following a goalless clash with Dumbarton to stay in the running for top spot in Group A, but they will need to win by two goals at Pittodrie on Sunday.
Ross County moved into top spot above Dunfermline in
Group C thanks to a 2-0 win at Alloa.
Josh Sims headed the only goal in the 18th minute and visiting goalkeeper Jake Eastwood saved a penalty from Conor Sammon before Jordy Hiwula made the points safe deep in stoppage-time.
Inverness consolidated top spot in Group G with a 4-0 home win against Albion Rovers.
Billy Mckay scored inside two minutes, Cameron Harper hit a double and Wallace Duffy netted as Caley Thistle moved three points and five goals ahead of Livingston before both teams’ final games.
Stenhousemuir kept their slim hopes alive with a 2-0 victory at Montrose.
Dundee moved into pole position in Group H when they beat Queen’s Park 2-1. First-half goals from Alex Jakubiak and Cammy Kerr put the visitors in the driving seat at Ochilview and they held on after Louis Longridge pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute.
Gary Bowyer’s side are three points ahead of the Spiders and Hamilton and only need a draw at home to Forfar on Saturday to win the group.
The three best runners-up join the eight group winners plus Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Dundee United and Motherwell in the second round.