Non-scottish final possible after Saints win

A non-scottish Irn-bru Cup final remains possible after Welsh side The New Saints joined Northern Ireland’s Crusaders in tomorrow’s semi-final draw with a 4-3 penalties win over Queen of the South at Park Hall.

Yesterday’s match finished goalless after 120 minutes and Andy Stirling’s miss with the 12th kick in the shoot-out proved decisive.

The New Saints’ Jamie Mullan volleyed against the bar on three minutes and eight minutes later team-mate Greg Draper tapped home, only to see an offside flag cut short his celebrations.

James Mcfadden showed his class on 18 minutes with a delightful chip from 20 yards that beat Paul Harrison all ends up but then came back off the woodwork.

In the second half, Draper blazed high over from ten yards, while Queens defender Shaun Rooney had a header cleared off the line by Tom Holland. Stephen Dobbie and Mcfadden both squandered extra-time chances to put the game to bed.

On Saturday, Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s mean defence was dominant again as visitors Falkirk were defeated 1-0. John Robertson’s side created a club record of 657 minutes without conceding a goal.

Falkirk’s day went from bad to worse after they were forced to issue an apology about the conduct of some of their supporters. Some away fans were heard to sing “F*** the SFA” and “Dean Shiels has only got one eye”, the chants coming after Falkirk striker Kevin O’hara was banned last week for eight games for verbally abusing Dunfermline striker Shiels regarding his sight impediment.

Dumbarton reached their first semi-final of the competition when they beat Raith Rovers 2-0. Chris Mclaughlin and Ali Roy scored and they could even afford a missed Tom Walsh penalty.