St Mirrenoff 2 V 4 Sandbank Rangers

<p class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">St Mirrenoff failed to progress from their League Cup section after a defeat to holders Sandbank Rangers saw the Glasgow side clinch second place.

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<p class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">With both teams sitting on three points after two games and Sandbank edging the goal difference, the Saints supporters knew only a win would see them through to the quarter-finals.<br /> <br /> But Saints were fortunate not to be a goal down inside the first minute when the Rangers striker, unmarked six yards out, crashed his shot off the top of the crossbar.<br /> <br /> Slack Sandbanks defending saw Buddies striker David Wilson nick the ball in the corner, but his effort from a tight angle was kept out by the legs of the goalkeeper.<br /> <br /> And it was a chance the Paisley side soon rued when the Rangers team took the lead on 14 minutes. Their left winger knocked the ball past Saints centre-half Graeme Mothersole and into the penalty box.

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<p class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">With the ball looking like it had crossed the line for a goal-kick, the Gers winger then squared the ball for his team-mate to tap home from close range as the referee waved away the Saints&rsquo; protests.<br /> <br /> Things got worse just four minutes later as Sandbank doubled their lead. A long throw was misjudged by the Saints defence and the ball broke kindly for the Rangers midfielder to shoot into the bottom corner from 16 yards.<br /> <br /> Sandbank looked to have had the match wrapped up after 37 minutes when they scored their third goal of the afternoon. A corner from the left was only half cleared and Sandbanks centre half was unmarked to volley the ball into the net.<br /> <br /> Saints came out for the second half knowing they had to up their game to pull back a three goal deficit against their league winning opponents.

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<p class="ecxMsoNoSpacing">They gave themselves a lifeline on 52 minutes with some great individual skill from Fraser Gray. A long throw was cleared to just outside the penalty box to Andy Tucker. With the Rangers defence pushing out, Tucker played a neat pass to Gray, who lifted the ball over two defenders heads and coolly lobbed the on-rushing goalkeeper.<br /> <br /> The Saints players were lifted by that goal and further reduced the margin two minutes later after Sandbank gave away a cheap foul right on the touchline. Wilson whipped in the cross and midfielder Chris Dailly timed his jump to perfection to bullet a header beyond the Gers keeper.<br /> <br /> Sadly St Mirrenoff&rsquo;s revival was over in Sandbanks next attack when, from another set-piece into the box, the Sandbank player rose unchallenged to head into the bottom corner.<br /> <br /> Saints were denied a late chance to get back into the game when their appeals for a handball in the penalty box were waved away.<br /> <br /> St Mirrenoff: Craig Muir, Chris Adam, Graeme Mothersole, Ian Craig, Duncan Johnston, Andrew Tucker (Barry Johnston), Gordian Mothersole, Chris Dailly, Fraser Gray (Craig Sinclair), Robert Hillcoat, David Wilson (Grant Elliott). Unused subs: Gareth Fairley, Ryan Keenan.<br /> <br /> The next Saints match is on 3 October, in a league match away to Partick Thistle. Follow Saints progress at www.teamstats.net/stmirrenoff