What a memorable night it turned out to be in the BetMcLean Cup as the eight ties produced goals, drama and upsets in abundance.

Championship sides Annagh United and Loughgall grabbed the headlines with victories over their top flight opponents, both Cliftonville and Glentoran bagged six goals apiece, Linfield squeezed to a narrow victory at Wilgar Park, Coleraine came out on top in the big derby, Newry City edged into the quarter-finals and Dungannon Swifts enjoyed a heart-stopping few minutes after trailing for most of the night.

Annagh, second in the Championship, hosted Larne, second in the Premiership, and clocked up another famous League Cup victory for the Portadown-based side.

Andy Scott had given Larne the lead midway through the first half but this was cancelled out by Craig Taylor a few minutes after the interval. That was how it stayed until, with the prospect of extra-time looming large, Conor Mullen popped up to grab the 90th minute winner!

Two second half goals helped Loughgall get past Glenavon at Mourneview Park. The Villagers moved in front on 47 minutes through Pablo Andrade with former Lurgan Blue Mark Patton adding a second with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining. Jack Malone pulled one back for Glenavon late on but it wasn’t enough to spark what would have been a dramatic conclusion.

There was no such drama for holders Cliftonville who hit six without reply past Carrick Rangers at the Loughview Leisure Arena. Rory Hale kicked the scoring off on 18 minutes with Jamie McDonagh also getting on the scoresheet on 76 but the star of the show was Ronan Hale who helped himself to no fewer than four goals.

Glentoran scored half-a-dozen in a clinical home defeat of Warrenpoint Town. Conor McMenamin opened the scoring against his former club, Marcus Kane added another soon after with Jay Donnelly making it 3-0 before the break. Patrick McClean then hit a second half double while Kirk McLaughlin also registered.

Coleraine inched their way to a narrow win over Ballymena United in the derby at Warden Street. Scoreless for most of the game, the Bannsiders saw a spot-kick saved after United had suffered the dismissal of Mikey Place but Conor McKendry secured a last spot for Oran Kearney’s side with ten minutes remaining.

Linfield also needed just a solitary goal to overcome Dundela at Wilgar Park. The decisive strike came with around 15 minutes left when Robbie McDaid pounced to touch home a deflected cross.

There was plenty of excitement at Stangmore Park as Dungannon Swifts eventually edged past Portadown. Jonah Mitchell handed the Ports a fifth minute lead, an advantage they held until deep into stoppage time when Rhyss Campbell levelled for the Swifts. Then, remarkably, Campbell struck again in the opening moments of extra-time to earn a quarter-final berth for Dean Shiels’ men.

Meanwhile, goals from Daniel Hughes and Declan Carville saw Newry City get past Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park. Hughes handed City the lead at the break, Kyle Beggs levelled midway through the second half before Carville popped up with the winner late on.