East Fife bag big-boys bonus
Dundee suffer shock after penalties from Gary Naysmith’s League One side. By Roddy McKenzie
EAST Fife managed to get the better of Ladbrokes Premiership side Dundee after a 1-1 draw in Group A, taking the bonus point by winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2. Scott Robinson, who was eventually to have the final say in the shoot-out, had an early opportunity for the Gary Naysmith’s side but his free-kick was too close to David Mitchell and the goalkeeper saved easily.
Dundee had plenty of possession in the early stages but did not create too much to worry William Muir.
Kane Hemmings broke the deadlock after 36 minutes with a precise finish from the edge of the area, his shot going in off the inside of the post.
Craig Wighton almost brought a second goal early in the second half after a slick move but Muir pulled off an excellent save.
East Fife equalised 14 minutes from time when Kevin Smith curled a superb free-kick into the top corner of the net to set them up for the bonus.
Elsewhere in the group, Forfar Athletic and Dumbarton also went to a penalty shoot-out after an entertaining 2-2 draw at Station Park.
Dumbarton enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half without hurting Falkirk.
Grant Gallagher had a shot on the turn but it finished well over the top.
They were made to pay as striker Josh Peters, signed late on Friday, put Forfar in front with a 12-yard shot.
Jim Lister was a constant source of concern for the Dumbarton defence and he shot narrowly wide in the opening moments of the second half. The striker was then denied by Mark Brown.
Dumbarton heeded the warning and Gallagher equalised with a header from a Craig Pettigrew cross.
Thomas O’Brien put Forfar in front with a great strike from distance after Garry Fleming lost possession but Fleming made amends when he drilled a penalty high into the net minutes later after a handball.
Forfar’s Jamie Bain was sent off in injury-time after picking up his second booking, but Forfar picked up the bonus by winning the shoot-out 4-3.
In Group B, St Johnstone eventually saw off Elgin City 3-1 at Borough Briggs. Graham Cummins had an early chance for St Johnstone but Stewart Black was alert to the situation and saved comfortably.
Danny Swanson saw a 20-yard shot deflected wide as the Perth side continued to press in the early stages. Swanson was more accurate in the 16th minute when he found the bottom corner of the net to put St Johnstone ahead.
Blair Alston came close to a second goal but curled his shot the wrong side of the post. Jamie Duff equalised four minutes into the second half, touching home a Daniel Moore free-kick. Liam Craig almost restored St Johnstone’s advantage after an hour but could not find the finish.
Cummins had better fortunes after 73 minutes, when he was played in by Chris Millar, and he calmly rounded the goalkeeper to net.
Steven MacLean scored from close range to ensure St Johnstone the points with 12 minutes left.
In the same group, Stirling Albion upstaged neighbours Falkirk 1-0.
Luke Leahy had a goal disallowed for Falkirk and Bob McHugh wasted a good chance shortly afterwards.
Darren Smith provided the only goal three minutes before half-time after Lewis Kidd had carelessly given up possession.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle moved to the top of Group C by beating Cowdenbeath 2-1 at Central Park. Ross Draper broke the deadlock when he turned the ball home from close-range after being set up by Scott Boden.
But the home side did not take long to level with Lewis Moore carving out a chance for Dean Brett to net past Ryan Esson.
Iain Vigurs was denied a spectacular goal when his 30-yard free-kick was clawed away from the top corner by David McGurn.
Vigurs then saw a header strike the underside of the crossbar before Cowdenbeath scrambled the ball clear.
Inverness took their reward when Garry Warren scored late on.
Holders Ross County opened their defence of the trophy with a rather tentative 1-0 win over Montrose at Links Park in Group D.
A penalty from Brian Graham with just four minutes left was enough to take victory but they did not get it all their own way.
Jordan Millar made a string of saves to deny Ross County’s eager strikers before Graham settled the issue.