TNS have been knocked out of the Irn-Bru Cup after a 4-1 defeat in their semi-final against St. Mirren.

The Scottish Championship side hit back with four second-half goals to cancel out Ryan Brobbel’s fine opener, with TNS unable to recover from a red card shown to Steven Saunders.

TNS manager Craig Harrison sprung a surprise in his team selection with Wes Fletcher unexpectedly starting ahead of Greg Draper and Scott Quigley up-front, while top-scorer Alex Darlington could only make the bench.

Brobbel – deployed in Darlington’s usual attacking midfield role – lit up a tepid first-half when he gave TNS the lead with a classy solo effort that saw him launch a thunderous finish from outside the box.

After offering little in the opening period, St. Mirren were rewarded for their improved efforts on the hour mark when Stephen McGinn produced an equally as fine effort to fire the hosts level.

A late two-footed challenge from TNS defender Steven Saunders moments later proved to be the turning point of game, with St. Mirren’s Stephen Mallan placing the resulting free-kick past a poorly positioned Paul Harrison.

Harrison would make amends by saving John Sutton’s weak penalty but shell-shocked TNS conceded again as Sutton scored from close range.

The Saints’ fate was sealed late on when Rory Loy converted Stephen Mallan’s free-kick.

TNS now turn their attentions to next weekend’s Welsh Cup tie at Bangor City.