Ayr demolish Warriors as winner-takes-all clash with Partick Thistle looms

Ayr United’s 5-0 demolition of visitors Stenhousemuir means that top spot in Group E will be decided in a winnertakes-all clash with Partick Thistle on Saturday.

Lawrence Shankland drilled in with just over 90 seconds played and then rose to head home his second on eight minutes to put Ayr on the road to victory. Michael Moffat tapped in No 3 just before the break, with Shankland completing his second hattrick of the season when he cracked a shot home 25 seconds into the second half. Moffat curled home the fifth on 86 minutes.

Partick are level with Ayr on nine points after a 2-0 success at Albion Rovers, where Miles Storey found the net on 59 minutes and Aidan Fitzpatrick tucked home the second seven minutes from time.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle head to Tynecastle on Sunday three points clear of Hearts at the top of Group C after a 2-1 late win over visitors

Raith Rovers.

The deadlock was broken four minutes into the second half when Nathan Austin picked up a George Oakley pass, charged into the Rovers box and shot home. Raith levelled on 61 minutes when Grant Gillespie bulleted home but Danny Mackay got the Caley winner three minutes from the end.

Airdrie moved into second place in Group F with a 4-1 home win over Annan. Sean Crighton’s drive opened the scoring on 38 minutes, Ryan Conroy curled in a free kick on 54 minutes and Darryl Duffy netted two minutes later. Annan scored through David Wilson before Dale Carrick got Airdrie’s fourth.

Alloa won their third Group A game when they saw off hosts Elgin City 3-0 and moved into pole position in the pool with Ross County facing Arbroath tonight. Jake Hastie netted just over a minute into the game and Alan Trouten notched for the third game running to double Alloa’s lead on 11 minutes. Hastie completed the scoring on 53 minutes.

Clyde brought Stranraer back to earth in Group G following their penalty kick success over Motherwell with the Bully Wee enjoying a 3-1 success at Stair Park.

David Goodwillie slotted home via a post within the first two minutes and the former Scotland striker doubled Clyde’s lead on 20 minutes when he slotted in a John Rankin pass.

Martin Mcniff headed in a free-kick before the break with Grant Anderson grabbing a goal for the hosts with a fierce volley on 56 minutes.