CHAMPS SEE OFF FORFAR IN STYLE

A HAT-TRICK of goals from Kiwi international Greg Draper paved the way for The New Saints to beat Forfar Athletic 3-1 on their Scottish Challenge Cup debut and book a place in the quarter-finals.

Following the earlier exit of Bala Town, Welsh hopes rested on the Saints and the Welsh Premier champions did not disappoint.

The Saints made a bright start, with Alex Darlington, Connell Rawlinson and Draper going close before the visitors broke the deadlock in the 24th minute.

A superb pass by Paul Harrison fell for Draper, who slotted the ball home from a tight angle.

They continued to dominate against the leaders of Scottish League Two.

But the Loons equalised on 38 minutes against the run of play through Stuart Malcolm.

Saints regained the lead ten minutes from time when Robbie Parry fed the deadly Draper, who tapped in from five yards.

The striker completed his treble three minutes from time following a great ball from Aeron Edwards.

Meanwhile, Bala Town crashed out 4-2 at Maes Tegid to impressive Scottish League One visitors Alloa Athletic.

The Wasps went in front after ten minutes when the ball was played to Greig Spence to tuck away his 11th goal of the season.

The visitors then scored two quickfire goals before half-time, through Jon Robertson and Spence, to forge a 3-0 lead.

Bala pulled one back on the hour when Chris Venables was bundled over in the box and Lee Hunt scored from the spot, but Kevin Cawley restored Alloa’s three-goal cushion with a superb finish five minutes later.

Stuart Jones added a second for the Lakesiders on 72 minutes with a far-post header, but it was not enough to deny their visitors.

The revamped Scottish Challenge Cup, which has traditionally been contested by clubs from the Scottish pyramid, has been widened this season to include two clubs from Wales – Bala and The New Saints – plus two from Northern Ireland in Crusaders and Linfield.