Dundee United continued their defence of the Irn Bru Cup with an injury time win over Alloa at Tannadice.
In what was a low key tie the Tangerines were ahead thanks to a second half penalty from Patrick N’Koyi, but that was quickly cancelled out by a Kevin Cawley equaliser.
And extra time loomed until Paul McMullan struck a fine goal in the second minute of injury time, before Willo Flood made it three with almost the last kick of the game
In a much changed team, United handed a debut to deadline day signing Joe Piggott and there were also places for teenagers Harvey Dailly and Logan Chalmers, both of whom played in the last round against Cowdenbeath.
It was Chalmers who was first to show for the home team and when he tried a chip from twenty yards out, the ball floated just over the bar.
It was an untidy start from both sides, but on 23 minutes Alloa could have been ahead. Daryll Meggatt cut the ball back to Cawley and he had time to take a touch before picking his spot, but sent his low 16 yard shot inches past.
United threatened when Scott Allardice put in a low driven cross from the right, but the ball was just too far in front of Piggott at the back post.
Alloa were keen to get forward when possible and an attack down the left ended with a 20 yard shot from Steve Hetherington that was only a couple of feet wide of the target.
Right on half-time it was the visitors who were pressing again and after Archie Thomas fouled him on the edge of the area, Hetherington picked himself up and curled the free kick just wide.
United restarted on the front foot and after a jinking run winger Paul McMullan sent a shot just over from the edge of the area.
Then the ball was worked to Piggott on the 18 yard line. He turned well before firing well over the bar. The Tangerines were looking more determined this half and a McMullan corner brought another chance as Lewis Toshney headed wide from ten yards.
Next McMullan picked out Chalmers with a neat pass, though the kid’s shot was comfortably saved by Neil Parry.
The breakthrough came in the 72nd minute as United when ahead from 12 yards.
Piggott played a fine ball in for N’Koyi and when he knocked it past Andrew Graham, the defender clearly brought him down and referee Willie Collum pointed to the spot.
Graham needed treatment before he could continue and after a lengthy delay N’Koyi stepped up and calmly stroked the ball into the back of the net.
The lead lasted just five minutes and as Alloa fought hard to get back in the game, Cawley fired home a fine equaliser with a low shot from 16 yards.
Moments after that Chris Renton wasted a great chance to put the visitors ahead when he missed from twelve yards.
And it was Alloa who were finishing the 90 minutes strongly, though near the end N’Koyi saw a low shot well saved by Parry.
And United found were ahead when N’Koyi set up McMullan for a second goal in the second minute of injury time. A minute after that Flood made it three with a fine finish.
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