Saints ease through as Dundee crash out

ST JOHNSTONE cruised into the semi-final stages of the Bell's Cup last night as Steve Milne grabbed a hat-trick in a convincing 5-1 victory over Raith Rovers.

But it was Gordon Dalziel's Second Division side who took a surprise 21st-minute lead. Brian Fairbairn raced down the right and his cross was met at the near post by Paul McManus, who slid the ball into the net.

After that it was all Saints, and Milne lobbed in the equaliser for the First Division side just after the half-hour mark. Former Dundee United striker Jason Scotland - who was back in the St Johnstone side after missing out when he could not get back in time from international duty with Trinidad and Tobago at the weekend - then added a 35th-minute second and, shortly before the interval, Milne curled in a third goal. Simon Mensing added a second-half fourth when goalkeeper Alistair Brown missed his cross. The game was effectively over by then and, as Saints continued to dominate, Milne completed the scoring and his hat-trick.

St Mirren supporters must have thought they would have a similarly easy route to the last four as they raced into a three-goal lead against their Third Division opponents Stenhousemuir. In an incredible three minutes, they looked to have put the tie beyond doubt as Simon Lappin knocked in the 20th-minute opener, Charlie Adam added the second two minutes later and former Dundee striker John Sutton got his first goal for the club just a minute later.

But Stenhousemuir refused to buckle and Jim Mercer drove them back into the game when he opened their account in 32 minutes. Paul McGrillen made it two before the break, but they could not force the game into extra time, losing 3-2.

The problems are already piling up for Dundee's new manager Alan Kernaghan as his side followed up Saturday's league defeat to Airdrie United by losing 2-0 to Hamilton in the Bell's Cup. The New Douglas Park club have been plagued with injuries that are now beginning to clear up and they took the lead on the half-hour mark through Brian Carrigan. Pat Keogh, who had passed a late fitness test, then ensured their win and a place in tomorrow's semi-final draw when he added a second just nine minutes into the second period.