Ramsdens Cup holders Falkirk leap first hurdle, but Accies fall

The holders advanced 3-0 with Taylor scoring twice early in the second half to add to the fragile half-time lead given to them by Kieran Duffie.

Hamilton Accies, last season’s runners-up, did not fare so well as one of their former players, Willie McLaren, came off the bench to give Airdrie United a 1-0 win at New Douglas Park with a low shot with just five minutes left.

The most remarkable tie was at Borough Briggs as Lee Sibanda and Darren Gribben both helped themselves to hat-tricks in Arbroath’s 7-5 win over Elgin City.

Steven Doris also scored and the scoreline would have been more emphatic had Stuart Leslie, with his second goal, and Dennis Wyness not both scored in the final four minutes.

Annan Athletic raised a few eyebrows with a 1-0 win over Livingston, the only goal coming from a long-range strike from Graeme Bell with 16 minutes left.

Inverurie Loco Works took a shock lead at Montrose, but the home side came back to win 4-2 with Paul Watson, Martin Boyle, Gary Wood and Terry Masson all contributing goals.

Wick Academy matched Raith Rovers for long spells but the First Division side came through 4-2 thanks to late goals from Grant Anderson and Pat Clarke.

Michael Herd scored twice as East Stirlingshire shocked Ayr United 3-1, Scott Maxwell putting the tie beyond doubt with the third four minutes from time.

Morton saw off Albion Rovers 2-0 with goals from Tony Wallace and David O’Brien coming in the second half before Tony Stevenson saw red for Albion with 15 minutes left.

Queen of the South beat Dumbarton 1-0 with Nicky Clark heading in Danny Carmichael’s cross after 69 minutes.

Brown Ferguson nabbed a late winner as Stenhousemuir won 2-1 at Stranraer, adding to John Gemmell’s first-half header.

East Fife won 2-1 at Peterhead with Scott McBride (penalty) and Collin Samuel on target.

Cowdenbeath beat Alloa Athletic 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw and Queen’s Park edged Berwick Rangers 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.