Alex Salmond, the first minister and Alex Fergusson, the Scottish parliament presiding officer, will be hoping lightning does not strike twice when they make the draw for this season's Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-finals.

The pair have been invited to make the draw for the second year running despite bungling the same event in 2007.

Although there were only four teams to worry about, Fergusson matched the wrong balls with the wrong clubs, thus mixing up the semi-final pairings.

This was compounded when Scottish Football League officials, noticing the error instantly, took hours to decree the original draw would be adhered to but with the correct numbers now matched up.

By that time clubs had already begun to make plans for what they thought were their fixtures, while players and managers gave their reactions to the draw.

This year's draw - featuring Celtic, Rangers, Dundee United and Falkirk - will be held on November 12 at the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.