Dunfermline beat St Mirren to progress into knockout stage of Premier Sports Cup

Chris Kane’s late penalty gave Dunfermline a 1-0 win over St Mirren and booked their place in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup.

Saints, who also continue into the knockout stages, had the ball in the net in the 23rd minute at the SMISA stadium through Samuel Ramos but it was disallowed after Eseosa Sule, perhaps harshly, was judged to have fouled Pars goalkeeper Aston Oxborough.

Five minutes before the break a header from St Mirren’s Alex Gogic was saved by Oxborough, then shortly afterwards Dunfermline striker Zak Rudden drew a fine save from Buddies goalkeeper Jacob Chapman with a strike from outside the box.

Neil Lennon’s side started the second half with purpose but St Mirren passed up a great chance when Sule fired wide of the target before Oxborough made saves from Chris Mochrie and Killian Phillips.

Dunfermline finished strongly and Josh Cooper missed a great chance in the 83rd minute, unable to hit the target from close range before Andrew Tod also spurned an opportunity.

However, with three minutes remaining, Saints defender Marcus Fraser fouled Keith Bray in the box and Kane fired in from 12 yards to win it for the Championship side and pip Queen’s Park as one of the three best runners-up in the group stage, while holders St Mirren also moved into the last 16 as group winners, albeit not seeded.