ALBION RV 3 ST MIRREN 4 (aet)
ST MIRREN were rocked when Albion Rovers took the lead after only six minutes thanks to some woeful goalkeeping from Jamie Langfield. The former Aberdeen stalwart weakly punched a corner straight into the path of Ross Dunlop, who volleyed his effort home.
Defensive partner Michael Dunlop elected to try his luck from a Ryan Wallace corner, finding the corner of the net for 2-0, leaving a Saints defence that boasts former Scotland international Andy Webster reeling after 13 minutes of play.
The Buddies clawed one goal back on the half-hour mark as Lewis Morgan cut in from the right flank and smashed his effort past Ross Stewart into the far corner of the net.
Five minutes later, a 35-yard wonder strike from Stephen Mallan hauled the Paisley outfit back onto level terms.
John Sutton continued the assault, heading a Tom Walsh
cross into the far corner as the chances of a cup shock appeared to dissipate.
However, no-one informed Ross Dunlop, as the defender benefited from more poor defending to haul Rovers level 60 seconds later.
Changes had to be made by Alex Rae and Andy McDonald was thrown into action at half-time to shore up the leaky St Mirren defence.
Nick Dunlop had a glorious chance to snatch victory for the Coatbridge side but Langfield pulled off a wonder save to send the match into extra time.
Cliftonhill player-manager Darren Young spurned a glorious chance in front of goal before a fortunate header from Lawrence Shankland proved to be the eventual difference between the sides as the striker latched on to a deflected John Sutton shot.
Any hopes of a comeback were dashed as Mark Ferry got his marching orders after a tussle with Shankland as extra time petered out.