East Stirlingshire 3-6 Saints

If there's a way of making things hard for themselves, Saints will manage it. People following the score online this afternoon, like myself, must have been pleasantly surprised to see us race into a three goal lead, then horrified to see it disappear. There was relief when the lead was restored, and finally a chance to relax when the second half goals arrived.

As expected, there were debuts for Paul Gallacher, Michael Higdon and Lee Mair, but it was a familiar face who got the ball rolling after just six minutes. Billy Mehmet - who got a hat-trick against third division opposition in this cup last year - tapped home the opener, and seven minutes later took advantage of a goalkeeping error to double the lead. Incredibly, his hat-trick was completed inside 20 minutes - and it was from a corner! Wonders will never cease.

That should have been that. Then Stephen Maguire pulled one back. No problem, we'll get another soon enough. But as we tried for that, 'Shire scored again through Andy Rodgers. With the nerves jangling, Gallacher was able to save a fine free-kick - only for Rodgers to score the rebound.

With Saints fans around the country experiencing a mix of disbelief and anger, the half time whistle loomed. Then, 60 seconds before the break, Mehmet scored again. All was well with the world once more.

The second half was slightly less eventful. Midway through, Mehmet bagged his fifth - I've no idea when a Saints player last managed that - and soon after sub Stephen O'Donnell made it six. Fortunately, we were able to hold our three goal lead this time around and will be in Tuesday's draw.

Phew!