Thistle stung by Berwick fightback as ten players see red in first-round ties

Four of the underdogs pro- gressed in the seeded ties, with Third Division Berwick Rangers' 3-1 win at Partick Thistle being the pick of the successes, but Airdrie, Clyde and Stenhousemuir will be just as delighted at their triumphs over sides that finished higher in the SFL last season.

Berwick came from behind to win 3-1 in Glasgow. Partick Thistle midfielder Paul Cairney headed Jackie McNamara's side in front on 28 minutes, but former Jag Damon Gray levelled just six minutes later. The game turned the Borderers' way when the home side's Paul Paton was dismissed after half-time and a shock was on the cards when Stuart Noble shot home with 17 minutes left.

Thistle's Conrad Balatoni was red-carded when he gave away a penalty on 78 minutes and Paul Currie sealed the win from the spot, although Berwick lost Kevin McDonald after a crude challenge on Aaron Sinclair.

Berwick manager Jimmy Crease said: "The win was deserved and sets us up nicely for our league campaign."

McNamara groaned: "I am angry and frustrated and this was a real wake-up call for me and the players."

Airdrie defeated Stirling Albion, who lost Shaun Fagan and goalkeeper Sam Filler to red cards, 5-0. Graeme Owens and Ryan Donnelly hit doubles and Jamie Bain added a long-distance counter past midfielder Alan Cook, who had taken over between the sticks.

Stirling manager Jocky Scott was far from pleased, saying: "Shaun did not even foul the boy and it became a penalty and a sending-off."

Clyde manager Jim Duffy enjoyed his trip to former club Brechin as his men pulled off a 4-2 extra time win, with the home side handicapped by the dismissal of Scott Buist in the first half of extended play.

A Gerry McLauchlan own goal and a David McKenna strike saw the sides level on 90 minutes, and after Craig Molloy missed a penalty for the Glebe Park side John Sweeney and Mark Archdeacon had the Bully Wee two ahead before Charlie King pulled a goal back. Iain Gray sealed the win.

Cowdenbeath player-manager Colin Cameron missed from the spot as his side crashed out 4-3 on penalties to visitors Stenhousemuir after a 2-2 draw. Mark Ramsay's double was matched by goals from Willie Lyle and Eric Paton before Cameron and Greg Stewart sinned from the spot.

The remaining ties all went the way of the seeded sides, with SPL Dunfermline seeing off Third Division hosts Annan, in their first ever meeting against a top-tier side.

Andy Barrowman gave the Pars the lead and David Cox fired in an equaliser before Andy Kirk grabbed the clinching goal in a 2-1 win early in the second half.

Livingston demolished Arbroath 6-0, new boy Rory Boulding scoring two minutes into his debut before Iain Russell grabbed a double, with Keaghan Jacobs, Jason Talbot and Marc McNulty all scoring against a Gayfield side that had Steven Doris dismissed.

Farid El Alagui bagged a brace as Falkirk defeated Albion Rovers 4-2 at Cliftonhill, and Dundee shrugged aside Dumbarton appeals for a penalty and a red card for Craig McKeown when they were winning 1-0 to register a 4-0 success, with Steven Milne netting twice.

Montrose had Jonathan Smart and Stephen McNally sent off as they lost 4-1 to visitors Raith Rovers after leading through a goal from debutant Jamie Winter, with fellow Third Division side Queen's Park losing 2-1 at Ross County after seeing Darryl Meggat red-carded.

Ayr United brushed aside East Stirling as Mark Roberts scored either side of half-time in a 3-0 win, and Tom Brighton struck late for Queen of the South in their 2-1 win over Stranraer.

Paul Hartley's Alloa went down 3-0 at home to Morton, who had Andy Jackson and Paul Di Giacomo on target for the second week running, and Robert Ogleby also netted in consecutive games as East Fife defeated Elgin 2-1.

Forfar ousted Peterhead 2-0 at Station Park, with Stevie Crawford and Chris Templeman on target.