Flying Falkirk keep perfect record
Falkirk’s fine start to the season continued as they moved into the last 16 with some style by winning 3-0 at Brechin City to complete their Group A campaign with a perfect record and a seeded place in next midweek’s knock-out games.
Peter Houston’s side had already secured wins over Stirling Albion, Inverness Caledonian Thistle as well as Forfar to book top slot in their group and they more than went about their business correctly at Glebe Park.
Lee Miller turned in an Alex Harris cross to open the scoring on 20 minutes, with the second goal coming seven minutes after the break when Joe Mckee drilled in.
Harris got on the scoresheet with the aid of a deflection 18 minutes from time, with manager Houston saying: “The players were different class again and they have done everything in the right manner since the first game. We started this one well, passed the ball about, played at the right tempo and kept a clean sheet away from home against a team from our division.
“There was little doubt about who was going to win and we could have scored more.”
Houston, pictured, was delighted with his squad, especially as he made four changes to his starting line-up. He added: “The group deserve credit for how things have gone and how they have played both in terms of keeping their shape and attacking teams.
“Our qualification marks progress from last season when we failed to get through as we started off with a defeat to Stirling.”
Houston added: “We have to
PETER HOUSTON build on this in the Championship, which starts for us at St Mirren next weekend.
“We should go into that game with confidence as we have good attacking options, have defended well and have very good options on the bench.
Brechin boss Darren Dods said: “Falkirk are a quality side and when we made mistakes they punished us.”
Peterhead’s happiness at winning their derby match at Elgin City 3-0, and finishing in second place above Hearts, was spoiled when a slot as one of the four best runners up was snatched away by Partick Thistle’s late winner against Stranraer.
Paul Cairney thumped the Balmoor side ahead after four minutes and David Mccracken nodded in the second before half-time. Jamie Stevenson netted a fine 25-yard effort after the restart to complete the scoring.
Manager Jim Mcinally, pictured, said: “It is our third win, so not to go through is frustrating. The competition is designed to eliminate parttime clubs quickly and we almost upset that.”
Last season’s semi-finalists Morton finished their campaign with a 5-0 victory over Edinburgh City at Cappielow, but their total of eight points left them out of the knockout stage.
Bob Mchugh tapped in to have the Greenock men winning at half-time, with Jai Quitongo adding a second and Robert Thomson a brace before Mchugh rounded things off in the final minute.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle recovered from missing a penalty and going behind at Station Park to enjoy a 2-1 win over Forfar Athletic. Liam Polworth was denied from 12 yards before Marc Scott headed the Loons in front early in the second half. George Oakley quickly restored parity with a longdistance effort and before Forfar could draw breath John Baird hit the winner.
Queen of the South were successful in a penalty shoot-out with an extra point gained at the third time of asking with a 4-2 success over visitors Albion Rovers after a 2-2 draw.
Rovers were closing in on a qualifying place when Alan Trouten opened the scoring, but when Stephen Dobbie levelled Hamilton were in control of Group H. Trouten grabbed his second from the penalty spot and Darren Brownlie headed in to make it 2-2 before Kyle Jacobs hit the decisive spot-kick.
St Mirren bounced back from their 5-0 defeat to Partick Thistle last weekend by defeating Airdrieonians by the same score in Paisley.
Cammy Smith’s shot was deflected into his own goal by Kieran Macdonald before Gavin Reilly added a second.
Andy Ryan missed a penalty for Airdrie, but Reilly did likewise before scoring a header. Lewis Morgan and Smith took the Saints tally up to five.
Raith Rovers defeated Fife rivals Cowdenbeath 2-0 thanks to goals from Lewis Vaughan and Liam Buchanan.
“The players were different class and they have done everything in the right manner since the first game”