Derek Lyle
Nicky Clark scored a late brace as Queen of the South beat Alloa 5-2 in the first round of the Scottish Communities League Cup.
The hosts got off to a flying start when Chris Mitchell fired home Clark's knock-down inside the area after nine minutes.
But Alloa drew level just after the hour mark when Ben Gordon rose highest to head home Ryan McCord's cross.
However, it was short-lived as Chris Higgins converted Mitchell's cross three minutes later to restore the home side's lead.
Martin Grehan rounded off a flurry of three goals in a quarter of an hour when he headed the Wasps level after 78 minutes.
But Clark restored the lead for the second time with a close-range finish minutes later before adding a fourth five minutes from time with a 12-yard finish.
Victory was ensured in the 89th minute when recent signing Derek Lyle poked the ball home from inside the area.
Queens were worthy winners in the end but slack defending by the Palmy rearguard almost took the game to extra-time.
A huge thunderstorm prior to kick-off devastated the attendance and the game was very nearly called off for saferty reasons as lighteneing flashed across Dumfries. The Dumfries Agricultural Show had to be abandoned at adjacent Park Farm due to serious flooding.