St Mirren suffer shootout pain at Arbroath – Scottish League Cup round-up

Scottish Premiership St Mirren were held to a goalless draw away to League 1 champions Arbroath and missed out on the bonus point by losing the penalty shootout in the Premier Sports Cup.

Steven Pressley suffered home defeat in his competitive debut as Dundee head coach, with Championship side Airdrieonians causing one of the shock of the opening weekend.

Top-flight Motherwell did manage to take an extra point after edging Clyde on spot kicks after drawing 2-2 with their League 2 hosts.

Relegated Ross County lost their shootout after a 1-1 draw away to fourth-tier Stranraer.

Dylan Tait scored a hat-trick as Falkirk cruised to victory in Brechin.

Summer signing Brian Graham set up fellow veteran Scott Arfield to strike Falkirk’s opener and the former Rangers midfielder added the second from the penalty spot.

Midfielder Tait added three more, with winger Alfie Agyeman and forward Ross MacIver adding the others.

In the other group game, League 2 side Spartans came from behind to upset Championship visitors Queen’s Park.

Northern Ireland striker Ronan Hale fired Ross County ahead just before the break against Stranraer, but Tommy Sharp’s close-range strike sent the tie into penalties, which the hosts won 6-5.

It means second-tier rivals Partick Thistle lead the group after Friday’s 4-1 win away to Edinburgh City.

Player-manager Rhys McCabe set up Chris Mochrie to coolly slot Airdrieonians ahead early on at Dens Park and Dundee were unable to respond.

Both ties in Group D went to spot kicks.

To add to St Mirren’s misery as they were held to a goalless draw in Arbroath before losing 4-2 on penalties, captain Mark O’Hara was sent off for a second booking two minutes from full-time.

Hamilton Academical, relegated to League 1, scored two second-half goals to ease aside fourth-tier hosts Stirling Albion.

Connor Smith struck and Kyle MacDonald headed in to give League 1 Accies all three points.

St Johnstone came from behind to avoid an upset against SPFL newcomers East Kilbride.

The Lowland League champions led through John Robertson’s early free-kick, but summer signing Jamie Gullan replied with a set piece of his own and strikes from Adama Sidibeh and Makenzie Kirk secured the points for the Championship visitors.

Meanwhile, midfielder Dylan Easton scored two penalties in Raith Rovers’ 5-1 win away to Elgin City.

Summer signing James Hilton gave Clyde a shock early lead as he chipped over stranded Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward after a defensive mix-up.

Tawanda Maswanhise soon headed the Steelmen level and put the Premiership side ahead after the break, but Liam Scullion nodded the League 2 hosts back on terms only for Well to win the shootout and the bonus point 5-4.

Greenock Morton won 4-2 away to Peterhead.

Kilmarnock eased to a two-goal win over Highland League champions Brora Rangers in Stuart Kettlewell’s first competitive game in charge.

A right-foot shot from 18-year-old defender Ben Brannan gave the Premiership side the half-time lead, with summer signing Djenairo Daniels firing the second 10 minutes from time.

Promoted Livingston also won on the road, 2-1 away to League 2 champions East Fife.

Robbie Muirhead gave the visitors the lead from close range in first-half added time before Hearts loanee Macaulay Tait extended their advantage from similar distance just after the break.