Derby thrills end with shootout win for Rovers over Premiership Accies

Albion Rovers secured a memorable bonus-point after a dramatic clash with their more illustrious Lanarkshire neighbours.

League One Rovers, having led early, twice came from behind in the second half and then held their nerve in the penalty shootout against a youthful Accies outfit. Rovers keeper Graham Bowman denied Massimo Donati and Greg Docherty from the spot with tremendous saves before hat-trick hero Alan Trouten scored Rovers fourth penalty.

The Premiership visitors had fallen behind to a ninth minute opener when Joao Victoria’s blocked shot fell to Trouten in the six-yard box and he slammed the ball home.

In the 38th minute, Accies levelled when a Steven Boyd corner fell to Donati in the box, and the Italian scored off the underside of the bar .

Accies struck again at the end of the first half when Danny Redmond’s cross picked out Shaun Want who headed the ball into the corner of the net. The home side were quick to respond in the second half. Ross Davidson drove to the byline before pulling the ball back for Trouten who tapped the ball home.

But Accies showed great resolve to go back in front just five minutes later when a David Templeton cross found Donati and the Italian midfielder prodded towards goal before Want applied the finishing touch. But Rovers refused to lose focus and hit back once again when Trouten got his hat-trick by bursting into the box before curling the ball into the net.

Accies regained the lead when substitute Rakish Bingham scored from the spot after he was brought down by Alan Reid. But Rovers refused to throw in the towel and were rewarded in injury time as they forced the match to penalties when Davidson lobbed Accies keeper Ryan Fulton after a poor Donati clearance .