Queen of the South 2 St Johnstone 4 (after extra time)

Tony Watt scores twice for the visitors to book a place in the Betfred Cup quarter finals

Published 18th Aug 2018

St Johnstone needed extra time to book their place in the last eight of the Betfred Cup after a 4-2 win at Queen of the South.

Tony Watt's double, Drey Wright and Callum Hendry's goals cancelled out Lyndon Dykes and Stephen Dobbie's strikes as Saints progressed.

Dobbie carved out the first chance for Queens after six minutes but he fired a left-footed shot straight at Zander Clark.

Murray Davidson was the first Saint to threaten the Doonhamers' goal when his attempt fizzed narrowly wide of Alan Martin's right-hand post from 20 yards out.

The Perthshire side had the ball in the net after 20 minutes when Liam Craig's free-kick was headed in by Jason Kerr but it was ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

St Johnstone took the lead after 26 minutes when the ball fell to Murray Davidson, whose shot from outside the box deflected into the path of Watt and he could not miss from six yards out.

But with the last kick of the first half, Queens pulled level thanks to a wonder strike from Dykes. Martin launched the ball up the park and it fell to the Australian on the half volley and from 25 yards out he smashed in the equaliser.

The visitors had a great chance to go ahead after 69 minutes. Wright drove forward and let fly from 30 yards out but his low shot hit the base of Martin's right-hand post.

Andy Stirling almost put the home side in front after 77 minutes when he unleashed a wicked curling effort which smashed off the crossbar.

Watt forced Martin into another good save with 11 minutes to go but neither side could find the breakthrough inside 90 minutes.

St Johnstone got themselves back in front after just four minutes of extra time. Watt escaped down the left and cut the ball back to Wright who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

And Watt bagged his second of the game just before the break in the extra period when he pinged the ball in off the post to put the tie beyond doubt.

Dobbie gave Queens hope when he dispatched a penalty after 115 minutes after being brought down by Alistair McCann.

But a mix-up at the back by Michael Doyle allowed Hendry to score and wrap up the tie.