Scorers: Stranraer – Sharp (76); Ross County – Hale (43)
Josh Lane and Lewis Hunter were the heroes as Stranraer secured a memorable penalty shootout victory over Ross County.
Ronan Hale had put the visitors in front but a failure to extend that lead gave the Blues hope.
That was duly rewarded when substitute Tommy Sharp – son of club legend Lee Sharp – scored with his first touch just seconds after coming off of the bench.
It was a hard-working and disciplined performance that saw Stranraer work tirelessly as they kept Ross County’s chances to a minimum.
It took until almost the 30th minute for the visitors, who were playing in the Premiership just a few months ago, to carve out a real chance.
That came after a water break at a very hot Eco Gen Stadium.
Lane failed to hold on to a cross from the left, but full credit to the goalkeeper who then threw himself in front of Hale to make the block.
Stranraer were limited to half chances with Jordan Stuart pulling a shot wide of target and Mark Russell curling straight into the arms of Bradley Foster.
The home side would have been keen to keep the scores blank going into the half time interval but it was not to be as Ross County found the breakthrough on 43 minutes.
Len O’Sullivan did well to get a cross in from the left and Hale took a touch, found a pocket of space and fired across Lane for the opening goal.
It was a goal that sparked the away team into life and they could have doubled their advantage in first half stoppage time.
Hale was not far away with an effort from the edge of the box and Jay Henderson planted a header wide just before the half time whistle blew.
Stranraer were still very much in the game and knew that the longer the gap stayed at a single goal they had a chance.
Stuart called Foster into action six minutes after the restart, but they should have been punished just seconds later.
Lewis Reid did not get enough on a header in trying to cut out a long ball but substitute Jordan White then pulled his shot wide of the post.
The leveller came with under 15 minutes left and was certainly memorable for Sharp, who was cheered on by his dad.
Evan Dunne drilled a low cross along the six-yard box and Sharp had plenty of room at the back post to make the easiest of tap ins.
Ross County now tried to get their noses back in front and pushed for a second goal.
The closest they came was just a few minutes from the end when substitute George Robesten headed onto the post.
With no winner over 90 minutes, it meant a penalty shootout to decide a winner.
The scores were level at 3-3 – with Sharp, James Dolan and Aaron Quigg finding the net for the Blues and O’Sullivan, Dean Cornelius and Ross Docherty netting for the visitors – to ensure it went to sudden death.
Lane had made saves from Hale and Jordan White before Ben Crompton blazed over the crossbar.
That gave Ryan Edgar the chance to win it but Foster was equal to the spot kick.
Finally, Lane denied Akil Wright and Hunter was the man to fire home and give Stranraer the victory.
Stranraer: Lane, Coll (Ecrepont 75), Reid, Rough, Dunne, McManus (Dolan 65), Hunter, Stuart (Quigg 65), S Docherty (Sharp 75), Russell, Turay (Edgar 58).
Not used: McKnight and E Henderson.
Ross County: Foster, O’Sullivan, Gallagher, Wright, Smith (Crompton 46), Lyall (Emslie 46), R Docherty, Cornelius, J Henderson (Robesten 81), Hale, Phillips (White 46).
Not used: Brophy, Lamont, MacKay, Thain and Laidlaw.
Referee: Graham Grainger
Attendance: 469
HT: 0-1
Photos: Bill McCandlish, Dylan Heron
