Billy Mehmet bagged five goals as St Mirren blitzed their way to a 6-3 victory over East Stirlingshire to book their place in the second round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

Mehmet broke the deadlock from close range for the SPL outfit and completed an 11 minute hat-trick, adding a chip and a header to put the Saints three up and cruising after just 17 minutes

But East Stirlingshire fought back and got themselves on the scoresheet as Stephen McGuire fired home on 23 minutes.

Four minutes later the deficit was down to one when Andy Rodgers curled the ball home and the improbable comeback was complete when Rodgers again tucked home from close range.

But the Shire could not hold on until the half-time interval and Mehmet added his and St Mirren’s fourth a minute before the break.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first and Mehmet had his fifth on 67 minutes before Stephen O’Donnell completed the rout six minutes later.