St Johnstone recovered from a first-half scare to book their passage to the last 16 of the Betfred Cup with a 3-1 win at Forfar.

Goals either side of the interval from strikers Tony Watt and David McMillan deflated the League One part-timers, who had snatched an early advantage.

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Former Cardiff winger Matty Kennedy then delivered a stunning debut strike to make the result safe.

Forfar had to win to progress and they shocked their top-flight opponents by engineering a 15th-minute lead, with striker John Baird smashing a shot in off the underside of the crossbar from midfielder Jamie Bain’s neat cut-back.

Home keeper Marc McCallum then denied new recruit Kennedy and ex-Celtic man Watt in close succession as Saints sought a rapid response.

Buoyed by their early advantage, confidence oozed through the ranks of the Loons and their more fancied opponents struggled to create clear-cut openings.

But Group B leaders Saints kept calm and four minutes from the break left-back Scott Tanser stormed down the flank to deliver a teasing cross for Watt to convert a close-range headed equaliser.

In the 52nd minute former Dundalk forward McMillan was freed by Liam Gordon to tuck away a precise finish.

Kennedy capped an impressive debut by lashing a spectacular 20-yard snapshot high into the net in the 62nd minute.

In the closing minutes, winger Drey Wright struck the bar with the goal at his mercy but Saints comfortably completed their comeback win.

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