Michael Moore put the Stair Park team in front on 27 minutes when he headed home Fraser Wright’s cross, and he extended the lead when Lee Sharpe’s corner was not cleared during the second half. Derek Lyle pulled a late goal back for the visitors, but it was not enough to prevent the upset.
Stirling Albion caused the other shock of the day when they overcame Ayr United 2-1 at Somerset Park. Barry Elliot put Stirling ahead after 14 minutes, a lead that they held until the 57th minute when Stewart Kean equalised for the First Division side. as the match drifted into extra-time, though, Elliot struck again, picking up a cross from Dougie Walker to shoot home and claim victory.
Brechin City, the First Division newcomers, set out their stall for the season by inflicting a 1-0 defeat on Falkirk, the champions. A 75th-minute goal from Charlie King was the difference between the two sides.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle encountered no such problems against Gretna, scoring five goals without reply. David Bingham, their new signing, scored his first goal for the club with a delightful chip midway through the first half, before the visitors ran riot in the second half.
Steve Hislop pounced on a Dave Matheson mistake and Paul Ritchie headed in a corner soon afterwards. Richie Hart then added two further goals to leave the Third Division side dazed.
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St Mirren had to come from behind to take Queen’s Park to extra time. Brian McGinty’s 88th-minute penalty forced the extra 30 minutes and John O’Neil scored the winner.
Morton came off better in a seven-goal thriller against Arbroath. Peter Weatherson bagged a hat-trick and Warren Hawke scored Morton’s fourth. John McGlashan netted twice and Ross Graeme once for Arbroath.
Raith Rovers ran riot against East Stirling, with two goals from John Sutton, the younger brother of Celtic’s Chris, contributing to their 5-2 win. Martin Prest, Mark Peer and Craig Stanley scored the rest. Elsewhere, Albion Rovers beat East Fife 1-0 with a goal from Ian Diack, the substitute, and Forfar put four goals past Elgin City.
Ross County overcame Cowdenbeath 2-1, with Clyde, their First Division rivals, progressing courtesy of an identical scoreline against Alloa.
Peterhead claimed the scalp of Stenhousemuir, winning 3-0. Robbie Raeside, Roddy Grant and Iain Stewart all made their mark on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, two goals from Stewart McKeown saw Airdrie United safely through against Montrose.
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The friendly clash between Dumbarton and Dundee United was a stale affair, finishing goalless after an uneventful match.