The match was Stranraer's first national cup final in its 126-year history, whilst it was St Johnstone's first in 27 years since losing the Scottish League Cup Final in
Tommy Sloan, which was enough for Stranraer to win the match 1–0.[1]
clean sheet of the tournament to progress to the semi-finals. The opposition was a home game against Greenock Morton, and Stranraer produced a third clean sheet in a 3–0 win[3] against the club, sending The Blues into their first ever Scottish Challenge Cup final.[3]
St Johnstone faced a trip to Albion Rovers' home of Cliftonhill in Coatbridge in the first round which saw the team emerge 2–1 winners.[3] The second round was another game on the road against Ayr United for St Johnstone with the visitors producing a 3–0 victory[3] to progress to the quarter-finals. A trip to Tayside neighbours Dundee was the reward for reaching the quarter-finals with The Saints triumphing 5–1 winners.[3] The semi-final draw paired the club with Montrose and St Johnstone's only home game of the tournament with the club winning 4–2[3] at McDiarmid Park. St Johnstone reached the Scottish Challenge Cup final for the first time.[3]
Pre-match
Analysis
Stranraer had played two home games and two away games in the matches preceding the final, whereas, St Johnstone played only one game at their home of
clean sheets. St Johnstone amassed a total of fourteen goals scored and conceded only four, but kept only one clean sheet. This was the first appearance for both Stranraer and St Johnstone in the Scottish Challenge Cup final since its inauguration in 1990.[3]
