Livingston 1-1 St Mirren (4-3 on pens)
- Published
St Mirren defender Conor McCarthy's close-range finish took the tie to extra time
Goalkeeper Max Stryjek's shootout heroics in the Scottish League Cup win over St Mirren were "redemption" after his costly blunder the previous week, says Livingston boss David Martindale.
Stryjek saved from Cammy MacPherson and Kyle McAllister as the hosts edged into the last eight 4-3 on penalties.
Conor McCarthy levelled late on after Alan Forrest fired Livingston ahead.
Stryjek was the hero a week after his injury-time fumble on Jack MacKenzie's shot gifted Aberdeen a league win.
"He did cost us three points but I still never thought about replacing him this week," said Martindale.
"The big man was brilliant. I told him it's redemption. He's a totally different player this season - he has really become a leader for us."
Livingston, runners-up to St Johnstone last term after defeating St Mirren in the semis, are through to the quarter-finals for the third consecutive season.
In a tight all-Premiership tie, they took the lead when Scott Pitman caught St Mirren outnumbered at the back and played in Forrest, who finished with aplomb.
Yet the visitors should have been 2-1 up at the break. Greg Kiltie missed a ridiculous chance early on then Eamonn Brophy, in the wake of Livingston's opener, couldn't beat Stryjek from a dozen yards after being sent clean through.
Jim Goodwin's men equalised nine minutes from time when Scott Tanser curled in a free-kick and the Livingston defence froze as McCarthy - a first-half replacement for the injured Charles Dunne - swept it home.
Livingston almost snatched victory in extra-time when Ayo Obileye's header came back off the post.
St Mirren goalkeeper Jak Alnwick saved spot-kicks from Keaghan Jacobs and Craig Sibbald, with Stryjek denying McAllister and MacPherson after Curtis Main fired wide.
Man of the match - Craig Sibbald
The Livingston midfielder stood out with his work on and off the ball
What did they say?
Livingston manager David Martindale: "I'm delighted for Stryjek. He has stepped up to become one of the main players, and is now one of the first names on the teamsheet."
"We had a lot of good chances on the counter-attack and didn't make the most of them. We have to be a lot more clinical. We chose the wrong pass at times and lack composure."
St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin: "It's always a harsh way to lose. We were on the right end of a few penalty shootouts last season but this is definitely a sore one.
"We had by far the better chances in the first half and if we take them it's a completely different game."
What's next?
Both sides resume Scottish Premiership action next Saturday (15:00 BST), with St Mirren away to Celtic and Livingston hosting Motherwell.