Weir hails ‘outstanding’ Forfar, while Ogkmpoe rescues Accies’ cup dream
League 1 Forfar upset Premiership St Johnstone 2-1 at Station Park on Saturday, with their success taking Jim Weir’s team through to the knockout stage as one of the four best runners-up.
Callum Tapping scrambled the ball home with two minutes played and a swerving free-kick from Ross Forbes made it 2-0 on 53 minutes. Saints hit back 12 minutes later when Matty Kennedy headed home but it wasn’t enough.
“I thought that keeping things interesting ahead of the final day was good but to qualify by beating a top-flight side is outstanding,” said Weir. “The players gave their all and we deserved the win.”
Livingston made sure of a top spot by easing past visitors
Berwick Rangers 5-0.
Ricki Lamie shot the Lions into an early lead and Craig Sibbald and Alan Lithgow added goals before the break. Lamie grabbed his second before Sibbald did likewise against the shot-shy Borderers, who have now lost 13 matches in a row, conceding 50 goals and scoring none.
Dunfermline won their group with a 4-0 success over
East Kilbride at East End Park. Kevin Nisbet, Josh Coley and Tom Beadling all scored in the first 16 minutes, with Nisbet netting the fourth five minutes into the second half.
Hamilton came from two goals down, and heading out, to defeat hosts Airdrie 3-2 and travel into the next round as another of the best secondplaced sides. Goals from Callum Smith and Ally Roy had the hosts in control midway through the opening half but a penalty double from Ross Cunningham early in the second half brought Accies alive.
A drive from Marios Ogkmpoe in the last minute saw Hamilton progress as one of the best runners-up.
Morton secured a knockout berth by gaining an extra point in a 4-3 penalty kick success against Queen of the South at Cappielow following a 3-3 draw to finish second behind Motherwell.
Lee Kilday nodded the Dumfries men ahead before John Sutton equalised and Nicky Cadden’s penalty put the hosts in front at half-time.
Bob Mchugh’s diving header looked to have seen Morton through but Jim Mcalister deflected a cross into his own goal and then Callum Semple equalised, before Greenock goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom emerged as the hero with penalty saves from Gary Oliver and Lewis Kidd.
Ayr allowed their passage to run aground as Stranraer hit back to draw 2-2, with the Blues winning the penalty shoot-out 6-5.
Michael Moffat fired the Honest Men ahead but Adam Cummins headed in a leveller on 42 minutes. Stephen Kelly curled Ayr ahead again instantly, then Cummins nodded in another equaliser, before Ryan Thomson’s penalty proved decisive.
Alan Trouten scored a double as Alloa won 3-2 at Arbroath but it wasn’t enough to send the Wasps through. Bobby Linn’s freekick put the Gayfield men ahead on 18 minutes, however Liam Buchanan replied quickly. Trouten netted early in the second half before grabbing the winner after Jason Thomson’s long-range effort had restored parity.
Raith Rovers slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Cove Rangers, where Jamie Masson opened the scoring right on half-time and Chris Antoniazzi and Declan Glass added goals after the break.
Brechin City gained their first point in a 1-1 draw with visitors Montrose but lost the penalty shoot-out 4-2.
Ross Campbell blasted the Gable Endies in front on 57 minutes and Scott Reekie’s equaliser sent the game to penalties. Russell Mclean hit the winning kick.
Stenhousemuir beat Cowdenbeath 2-0 thanks to Mark Mcguigan’s opener and a Jamie Todd own goal, while Euaneastandnickipaterson goals gave Albion Rovers a 2-1 win over Edinburgh City.
Yesterday’s Queen’s Park and Clyde game ended 1-1, with the Spiders winning the shoot-out 5-4. Darren Smith pokedthebullyweeaheadon 23 minutes and Salim Kouider-aissa headed a leveller late on, with Ciaran Summers’ spot-kick being the winner.