Stranraer Edge Queens Park In Dramatic Cup Shoot-Out

Scottish Cup drama unfolded at Stair Park on the evening of January 20, 2026, as League Two underdogs Stranraer triumphed over Queen’s Park in a penalty shoot-out, securing a coveted fifth-round clash with Rangers. The tie, already twice disrupted—first by adverse weather and then by a faulty floodlight—delivered all the tension and unpredictability that cup football promises, leaving fans on both sides with stories to tell for years to come.

The night began with an air of uncertainty. Having already been postponed the previous weekend due to torrential weather, the fixture faced another setback when, after just 48 minutes of play, one of the floodlights at Stair Park malfunctioned. At that moment, Queen’s Park held a slender 1–0 advantage, courtesy of Aidan Connolly’s early strike. Connolly’s goal, a crisp finish from outside the box in the 11th minute, seemed to set the tone for the Championship side. But as sparks reportedly flickered from the faulty lighting, both teams were ushered off the pitch, and a hush fell over the stadium.

Supporters, especially those from Queen’s Park, voiced their frustrations online. One fan insisted, “Sparks were coming out of one of the floodlights,” but maintained that the pitch was “well lit” and “looked playable.” Still, match officials weren’t about to take any risks. After a tense 30-minute assessment and safety checks, the green light was finally given, and the teams returned to resume battle. Relief swept through the stands—at least the game would be settled on the pitch, not in the boardroom.

When play restarted, Stranraer showed no signs of being cowed by the occasion or the delay. Their persistence paid off just after the hour mark. Dom Plank, seizing on a loose ball, slotted home to level the score at 1–1. The equalizer set up a nail-biting finish, with both sides probing for a winner but finding goalkeepers and nerves holding firm. Ninety minutes came and went, and extra time was needed, yet the deadlock persisted. The specter of a penalty shoot-out loomed, and tension mounted with every passing moment.

And so, to penalties. In the pressure cooker atmosphere of Stair Park, both teams converted their first five spot-kicks with aplomb. Each attempt ratcheted up the stakes, the crowd oscillating between hope and dread. It was Queen’s Park’s Carlo Pignatiello who blinked first—his sixth penalty was superbly saved by Stranraer’s Lyndon Tas, the home goalkeeper. The stage was then set for Lewis Hunter, who coolly slotted home the decisive kick, sparking scenes of wild celebration among the home faithful. Stranraer had done it—they’d outlasted their more illustrious opponents, 6–5 on penalties, after 120 minutes of gripping cup football.

The result means Stranraer will now travel to Ibrox to face Rangers in the Scottish Cup fifth round over the weekend of February 7–8. For the Light Blues, who had already dispatched Annan Athletic 5–0 at Ibrox to book their place in the next round, the clarity is welcome. Their fixture calendar is already congested, with domestic and European commitments piling up. Now, manager Danny Rohl and his squad can focus their preparations on a specific opponent—one who will arrive at Ibrox with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

There’s rich context to this upcoming tie. Had Queen’s Park prevailed, it would have set up a tantalizing rematch. Just last season, Queen’s Park stunned Rangers 1–0 at Ibrox at the same stage, pulling off one of the most memorable upsets in recent Scottish Cup history. That shock result still lingers in Glasgow’s collective memory, and many had anticipated a chance for Rangers to avenge that defeat. Instead, it’s Stranraer who will take their shot at glory. The last time these two sides met in the Scottish Cup was back in January 2020, when Steven Gerrard’s Rangers ran out 2–0 winners at Ibrox—a match played mere weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic brought football to a halt.

For Stranraer, this victory is more than just a cup upset; it’s a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Overcoming a Championship opponent, a floodlight failure, and the psychological challenge of two postponements speaks volumes about the character in the Blues’ dressing room. Manager and players alike will relish the opportunity to test themselves against one of Scotland’s giants, and the financial windfall from a trip to Ibrox could be transformative for the club.

Queen’s Park, meanwhile, are left to rue what might have been. Despite their early lead and dominance in spells, they couldn’t put the game to bed. Penalty shoot-outs are a cruel way to exit any competition, but the Spiders can take heart from their performance, especially considering their struggles in the Scottish Championship this season. For Aidan Connolly, whose goal threatened to settle the tie, and for goalkeeper Calum Ferrie, who kept his side in contention through extra time, there will be disappointment but also pride in pushing their opponents to the very limit.

The evening’s events also reignited debate about stadium infrastructure at the lower levels of Scottish football. The 30-minute delay due to the floodlight malfunction was a stark reminder of the challenges faced by smaller clubs. While the safety-first approach of the officials was widely praised, many supporters and pundits called for increased investment to prevent such disruptions in future high-stakes fixtures.

Elsewhere in Scottish football, the night saw Inverness reclaim top spot in League One with a 2–0 win at East Fife, thanks to goals from Alfie Stewart and Alfie Bavidge. Alloa also returned to form, thumping Montrose 4–1 to strengthen their play-off credentials. But all eyes were on Stair Park, where the Scottish Cup once again delivered its trademark drama.

As the dust settles, Rangers fans will be circling the date of their fifth-round tie, eager to see whether Stranraer can pull off another shock or if the Light Blues will cruise into the quarter-finals. For Stranraer, the dream lives on. After a night of flickering lights, missed chances, and penalty heroics, their reward is a trip to Ibrox—and the chance to etch their name into Scottish Cup folklore.