League Cup roundup: Goals aplenty as Livingston smash 8 past Stranraer

The goal deluge that started in the Scottish Communities League Cup on Saturday continued in the rain at Ochilview yesterday, as Morton defeated East Stirlingshire 5-1.

The First Division side had one foot in the next round quickly as Mark McLaughlin lashed home from a corner with less than a minute and Peter Weatherson headed in from a free kick with 11 minutes played.

Michael Herd pulled a goal back through a solo effort, only for Steven Stirling to quickly make it 3-1 before half-time.

Midway through the second half, Tony Wallace netted from close range, and Michael Tidser completed the scoring with a free-kick with four minutes left.

Saturday’s 12 ties produced goals galore, with the back of the net hit 51 times. Livingston were the top scorers as they knocked eight past hosts Stranraer without reply.

Ayr gave Clyde six of their best, Queen of the South scored five, Raith Rovers and Stenhousemuir both took four, with the seeding process being upset by wins for Queen’s Park and Montrose.

The Lions roared back from their Ramsdens Cup defeat by Annan to secure the club’s biggest win yet, with Marc McNulty hitting a hat-trick, Jordan Morton and Iain Russell notching doubles and Kevin McCann also scoring.

Manager John Hughes said: “Last week we struggled to get into a rhythm and this week we got into it really quickly. I am delighted and am really looking forward to the league starting next weekend at Morton.”

Blues manager Keith Knox groaned: “If you stand off good players this is what happens.”

Ayr also put a disappointing result behind them as memories of their 3-1 defeat from East Stirlingshire were banished when they defeated Clyde 6-1, with all the goals coming in the second half. New signing David Winters opened the floodgates and the Honest Men crushed the Bully Wee with Michael Moffat and David Sinclair scoring two apiece. Jonathan Tiffoney was also on target while John Neil netted a consolation.

Queen of the South’s Nicky Clark scored twice in the last seven minutes as his side defeated Alloa 5-2, with Derek Lyle also adding a late strike after Chris Mitchell and Chris Higgins had netted for the Dumfries men. Ben Gordon and Martin Grehan replied for the Wasps.

There was also late drama when Pat Clarke grabbed the winner as Raith defeated Berwick Rangers 4-3.

The Borderers had led three times thanks to Lee Currie’s double and a Philip Addison goal with Brian Graham hitting a double and Dougie Hill netting to restore parity for the Kirkcaldy men.

Stenhousemuir beat Brechin 4-0 with John Gemmell scoring in the first minute before Darren Smith netted twice and Stewart Kean bagged a penalty. Queen’s Park defender Jamie Brough netted a brace as the Spiders defeated Airdrie 3-2 in extra time. The Diamonds had led through Nathan Blockley and Alan Cook, with Brough and youngster Lawrence Shankland providing equalisers.

Montrose shocked First Division Cowdenbeath 2-1 thanks to goals from Martin Boyle and Paul Watson before Mark McKenzie notched a late goal for the Blue Brazil.

Falkirk left it late before Stephen Kingsley and Lyle Taylor saw off Elgin 2-0, with Bryan Prunty and Jim Lister on target as Dumbarton defeated Albion Rovers by the same score.

It was also 2-0 as Partick Thistle overcame the handicap of Hugh Murray’s dismissal to defeat hosts Forfar thanks to Chris Erskine and Steven Lawless goals. Loons’ Gavin Swankie missed a penalty after Murray was red-carded.

Hamilton also won 2-0 at home to Annan with Jon Routledge and Darian Mackinnon on target. Arbroath ended Stirling’s interest with a 3-2 spot-kick success after a 1-1 draw which saw Paul Currie’s late goal cancel out a a penalty opener from Stirling’s Mark Ferry.