Ramsdens Cup: Four big casualties at first hurdle

Peter Weatherson: Summer switch. Picture: SNS

Morton went down 1-0 at League Two Annan and to make the pain of defeat more acute the only goal came from home debutant Peter Weatherson who left Cappielow in the summer after ten years of service.

The Morton fans, who attended Weatherson’s testimonial earlier this month, were fearful when the striker-turned-defender stepped up to take a free kick from 20 yards with 20 minutes left and they were right to be.

Weatherson, as he had done often in blue and white colours, drilled home and the Galabank side saw the game out with only substitute Archie Campbell making home goalkeeper Alex Mitchell work.

Annan boss Jim Chapman said: “I am sure Peter enjoyed his goal but I enjoyed what else he brought to our team. I played him at the back and he talked our youngsters through the game.”

Morton boss Allan Moore was far from pleased saying: “It is a very disappointing defeat and I cannot understand that after working on shooting all week we only have one effort on target.”

Livingston were defeated 3-2 at  Berwick Rangers where Owen Ronald’s extra-time strike proved decisive. Former Livingston winger Ross Gray headed Berwick in front on 25 minutes and it looked like his goal would win the tie as injury time was entered. But Marc McNulty, who had earlier missed a penalty, refused to give up and he bundled in a leveller to give the West Lothian men a route back into the competition.

That route soon ended as Jason Talbot was dismissed early into extra time and Josh Morris put Berwick 2-1 ahead before Ronald doubled their advantage.

Simon Mensing managed to pull a goal back from the spot, but the Borderers held on.

The return of the name of Airdrieonians to Scottish football was marked with a win as the Diamonds knocked neighbours Hamilton Accies out of the competition for a second year running. Willie McLaren, who scored the only goal of the game 12 months ago, netted his side’s first in a 2-1 success with his goal cancelling out Louis Longridge’s opener.

The winner came just before an hour had been played when Nathan Blockley headed home after a Jamie Bain throw-in had created danger.

Stranraer shocked Dumbarton 4-2 at Stair Park with Chris Aitken’s late double sending the Blues through.

Sean Winter beat an offside trap to put Stranraer in front on ten minutes, but the Sons were winning by half-time courtesy of Garry Fleming’s close-range finish and Kevin Smith’s deflected effort.

Martin Grehan levelled before Aitken netted from 18 yards, his second coming from the penalty spot.

Holders Queen of the South brushed aside the challenge of Lowland League Spartans 4-0 with Stephen McKenna scoring either side of a Derek Lyle counter in the first half and Kevin Holt wrapping things up in the second.

Connor McGrandles headed Falkirk into the next round in a 2-1 win at Clyde after Blair Alston had opened the scoring and Stefan McCluskey had replied for the Bully Wee.

Ayr United came from behind to win 2-1 at Hampden against Queen’s Park with Alan Forrest, younger brother of Celtic striker James, netting at the National Stadium before his elder sibling has.

Tony Quinn’s penalty had the Spiders ahead at half-timem, but defensive mistakes allowed Michael Moffat in for an equaliser before substitute Forrest scored a last-gasp scrambled winner.