Sutherland double has Elgin

elgin city 3

Sutherland (7, 30), Hester (13) stirling albion 0 A Shane Sutherland double kept Elgin’s hope of Betfred Cup qualification alive at the expense of Stirling.

Fresh from defeating Championship Alloa on penalties, the League 2 side set up Friday’s televised final group game against Hibs nicely.

A fine start saw Elgin 2-0 up inside 13 minutes. Sutherland netted for the third consecutive group game after Kane Hester forced a defensive error to tee him up eight yards out.

Then Hester got on the scoresheet himself with a sublime 30-yard effort that rocketed into the top corner of helpless Blair Currie’s net.

Stirling had few openings but finished the first half stronger, captain Jordan MacGregor fluffing a close-range chance straight at keeper Tom McHale.

City consolidated their lead after the break, with Stephen Bronsky and Conor O’Keefe coming close to grabbing a third.

Sutherland fired into the side netting late on but within a minute he rolled home a neat finish after skilfully beating his man on the edge of the box to seal the group win. stranraer 6 Elliott (19), Allan (38), McManus (41), Stewart (pens 44, 75), Hilton (63). berwick rangers 0 Stranraer hit Berwick for six with five different goalscorers, helping the hosts to a comfortable win.

The Blues opened the scoring in spectacular fashion through Cameron Elliott.

Jordan Allan’s cross was inchperfect for the frontman’s diving header, which left Sean Brennan with no chance.

The hosts effectively wrapped up the game with three goals in the final seven minutes of the first half.

James Hilton picked out the unmarked Allan who smashed an unstoppable angled drive into the bottom corner.

Berwick barely had time to pick themselves up from that before Stranraer made it three.

This time, Connor McManus curled home a delightful effort from the edge of the box before Mark Stewart slotted home from the penalty spot after Elliott had been brought down.

Number five came courtesy of a clever free-kick from Hilton who caught out Brennan at his near post.

Finally, with 15 minutes to play Stewart again scored from the spot after substitute David Dangana had been sent tumbling in the box.