WREXHAM progressed to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Challenge Cup with a 4-1 win over St Mirren Colts at The Racecourse.

It was goalless at the interval but Devonte Redmond opened the scoring at the start of the second half while Leighton McIntosh bagged a brace and Ben Tollitt got the other as Wrexham overcame the young Buddies in the fourth round tie.

Manager Dean Keates, as expected, rang the changes as he turned to youth team players and first-teamers who needed game-time.

Goalkeeper Rob Lainton, who picked up an ankle injury during the off-season, came into the side for his first appearance of the campaign and there were first senior starts for trainees Bobby Beaumont and Matthew Jones.

St Mirren made a bright start but Wrexham created the first chance in the seventh minute as Doug Tharme, captain for the day, delivered a cross from the right and Jake Bickerstaff's effort fell wide.

Wrexham came close when Max Cleworth failed to connect with Akil Wright's ball into the box and Redmond's goalbound shot was blocked by defender Scott Glover.

McIntosh failed to hit the target following Wrexham's next attack but St Mirren countered and almost took the lead as Cameron MacPherson's deflected drive struck the woodwork.

Lainton was called into action to make routine saves from Joshua Jack and Conor McBrearty, and the Reds' goalkeeper had to be alert to deny Cameron Breadner who capitalised on a mistake by Michael Chambers.

It remained goalless at the break but the second half was just 20 seconds old when Wrexham took the lead.

Tollitt pulled the ball back for Redmond who slotted past keeper Dean Lyness.

Tollitt, who looked a different player from the first half, only just cleared the bar with a 25 yard drive but Wrexham made it 2-0 in the 56th minute.

MacPherson brought down Tollitt in the area and McIntosh converted the penalty.

However, St Mirren were still making a game of it and the Buddies pulled a goal back after 68 minutes following a quick break.

Lewis Jamieson played in Jay Henderson who slotted past Lainton.

But Wrexham restored their two goal lead on 73 minutes.

Tollitt ran at goal before laying off to Redmond whose cross was turned home by McIntosh.

Lainton pulled off a superb save to prevent Henderson scoring his second of the afternoon but Wrexham hit back with Chambers' header cleared off the line and McIntosh had a goal disallowed for offside.

Henderson was again denied by Lainton but Wrexham scored a fourth goal one minute from time.

Tollitt exchanged passes with Jones and beat two players before firing past Lyness.

Wrexham (4-1-2-1-2): Lainton; Tharme, Cleworth, Chambers, Beaumont; Jones; Wright, Redmond; Tollitt (Huxley 90); McIntosh, Bickerstaff (Robinson-Murray 78). Subs: Szczepaniak, Humphreys, Parry, Nash, Williams.

St Mirren Colts (4-3-2-1): Lyness; Grant (Jamieson 59), Glover, McCallister, Erhahon; MacPherson, McBrearty, Gray; Henderson, Breadner (Reilly 82); Jack (McCaw 86). Subs not used: Law, Walker, Girvan, Frew.

Referee: Ray Matthews.

Attendance: 1,468 (107 from St Mirren).