ST MIRREN fought back from two goals down to knock out Championship Alloa in a Scottish Cup thriller.

The Paisley side had fallen behind to the part time outfit thanks to goals from Alan Trouten and Kevin Cawley. 

And it seemed they had an uphill task when Brad Lyons wsa sent off midway through the first half.

But, an incredible second half showing turned the game on its head as Cody Cooke, Ethan Erhahan and Kyle McAllister sent the Saints into the next round.

Oran Kearney wasted no time in bleeding in his six new signings, with Vaclav Hladky, Lyons, Mihai Popescu, and Greg Tansey in the starting lineup as Jordan Holmes and Kyle McAllister warmed the bench.

Before the action was even underway, there was a warm welcome from those packed into the Simply Digital Arena for returning League Cup winning captain Jim Goodwin.

The Irishman has built up a reputation as one of the game’s brightest up-and-coming managers and it was clear to see why. His Wasps were organised, solid, and had plenty of moments of creative flair throughout the 90 minutes.

Due to the possible colour clash, the Buddies were wearing their change shirts against the yellow and black of Alloa.

It was the Wasps who had the game’s first real chance after only five minutes when Connor Shields burst into the box and forced Hladky into a save at his near post.

The Buddies had yet to get going at all, but nearly landed an early blow of their own in the next attack as Stephen McGinn dragged one wide from the edge of the box. Simeon Jackson put one past the opposite post less than two minutes later.

Suddenly the Saints seemed to have the momentum and new boy Brad Lyons forced a corner with a storming run, before heading against the crossbar from the delivery.

But Alloa were determined to show they weren’t here simply to make up the numbers as winger Kevin Cawley forced Hladky into another fine save from the edge of the box.

They went even close midway through the half when Alan Trouten somehow failed to convert Connor Shields’ cutback after the winger had got in behind Ethan Erhahon.

This was proving to be an enthralling game in Renfrewshire and straight up the other end Tansey saw a 25 yard drive blocked for a corner.

Lyons had hit the bar from a corner early doors, and this time Jack Baird tested the Alloa defence as he forced Niel Parry into an excellent save.

And the Saints were punished for their profligacy in front of goal when Trouten finished with ease from six-yards after only 25 minutes.

Suddenly, the grumbles of discontent from the home fans were more audible.

They were hardly helped when Brad Lyons’ debut was ended early when the midfielder was booked a second time for a dive. With an hour left in this game, Saints had it all to do.

And any chance they had of finding a way back into this match was ended when Kevin Cawley thundered home an unstoppable drive from the edge of the box to make it 2-0 after only 35 minutes.

Kearney had obviously seen enough and introduced Cody Cooke for Ryan Flynn before the break.

As this enthralling half was drawing to a close - at least for the visitors - there was more drama as Dario Zanatta looked to have elbowed Baird in the face. The Canadian seemed lucky to escape with a booking.

There is no doubt that many in the St Mirren stands long to see Jim Goodwin return as manager one day. The longer this game went on without any sort of pressure from the Saints, it seemed this day may come sooner rather than later.

Perhaps the only highlight for St Mirren was the return of McAllister for Tansey, but it was always going to be a big ask for the youngster to change the game.

The game seemed to be beyond them until an uncharacteristic error from Neil Parry allowed Cooke to tap home for his first Saints’ goal.

St Mirren’s tails were up and they began to swarm forward as Alloa retreated towards their own box.

Their was still time for Zanatta to hit the Saints’ post, but this was one-way traffic; without ever truly testing Parry.

That was until Ethan Erhahon popped up in the 85th minute to level and suddenly the Saints looked the only team with a chance.

And they were rewarded with only five minutes to go as McAllister curled home from outside the box to complete the most unlikely of comebacks.  

It had been a big ask, but McAllister had delivered in style. 

St Mirren: Vaclav Hladky, Paul McGinn, Jack Baird, Mihai Popescu, Ethan Erhahon, Stephen McGinn, Ryan Flynn, Lee Hodson, Greg Tansey, Brad Lyons Simeon Jackson

SUBS: Jordan Holmes, Cody Cooke, Kyle McAllister, Cammy MacPherson, Anton Ferdinand

Star Man: Kyle McAllister