Holders St Mirren began their defense of the Premier Sports Cup with a comfortable 4-0 win over Dumbarton, while second-tier side Greenock Morton suffered a shock defeat at home to Lowland League champions Linlithgow Rose. Scottish Cup finalists Dunfermline Athletic also faced a humbling defeat at the hands of third-tier East Kilbride.

Dundee recovered from a deficit against Airdrieonians to avoid an upset at home against the League One side, while Premiership rivals Falkirk secured a dominant win over Edinburgh City. Dundee United relied on a stoppage-time penalty to overcome fourth-tier Stirling Albion, with further victories recorded by Arbroath, Ayr United, Hamilton Academical, Partick Thistle, Queen’s Park, Raith Rovers, Ross County, and Stenhousemuir.

Group A

Queen’s Park rallied from behind to defeat Highland League champions Brora Rangers after Sam Nixon headed the visitors into a 16th-minute lead. Aidan Connolly leveled the score before the half-hour mark, Michael Ruth put the Championship side ahead just after the hour, and a header from Nikolay Todorov secured a comfortable victory in Aberdeen’s group.

Relegated Kelty Hearts earned the bonus point following a draw with Queen of the South. Ross Cunningham gave Kelty the lead after 28 minutes, and although new player-manager Nicky Clark equalized three minutes later, the visitors ultimately won the penalty shoot-out.

Group B

Stirling appeared ready to force a penalty shoot-out against United, but a foul on Zac Sapsford—who met a cross from 16-year-old debutant Cohen Leiper—allowed the striker to slot the winner from the penalty spot. Arbroath secured a victory over League 2 hosts Spartans thanks to a Ryan Flynn strike five minutes from time. Andy Winter provided an early lead for Arbroath, though Bradley Whyte leveled the score for the Edinburgh side shortly after the break.

Group C

Samuel Ramos gave holders St Mirren the lead with a near-post finish, while fellow debutant Chris Mochrie doubled the advantage after intercepting a pass from Dumbarton’s trialist goalkeeper. Ramos added a second goal, and Thomas Falconer chipped the goalkeeper from close range to round out the scoring. East Kilbride overcame an early substitution against Dunfermline as replacement Lewis McGrattan marked his debut with a curled strike from inside the box after 24 minutes. Two long clearances from goalkeeper Shay Kelly set up debutants Finlay Gray and Cameron Elliott to secure a win for the League 2 champions over Neil Lennon’s side.

Group D

Dundee avoided a repeat of last season’s group-stage loss to Airdrieonians by recovering from behind twice against the side managed by John Rankin. A trialist Kian Taylor effort deflected in off goalkeeper Harry Sharp for an 11th-minute opener, but Charlie Reilly equalized after 30 minutes. Although Sharp conceded again to a long-range Sam Fisher free-kick, Ethan Hamilton leveled for Dundee before Joe Bevan and Ashley Hay added further goals. Elsewhere, Ross County eased to a 4-1 victory away to Annan Athletic. Brian Graham scored twice—including an opener from the penalty spot—before an Aaron Muirhead own goal and a strike from Connor Randall completed the win, with Aidan Smith scoring a late reply.

Group E

Gary Mackay-Steven netted twice as Partick Thistle defeated Highland League runners-up Brechin City 6-0. The winger scored the opener after seven minutes, Oisin Smyth added a penalty, and Mackay-Steven struck again before the half-hour mark. Further goals from Aidan Fitzpatrick, Seb Drozd, and Euan Henderson completed the scoring. Stenhousemuir broke the deadlock in the 66th minute against Forfar Athletic, with Lewis Hodgkiss and Matthew Aitken scoring in quick succession to secure three points for the newly promoted Championship side.

Group F

Linlithgow Rose proved their capability on the pitch by defeating Championship side Morton, despite previously being denied entry to the play-offs for failing to obtain an SFA bronze licence. Calum Rae scored the winner for the visitors on the break after 58 minutes. League One champions Inverness Caledonian Thistle claimed the bonus point after Adam Mackinnon equalized in stoppage time against East Fife, leading to a 5-3 win in the subsequent penalty shoot-out.

Group G

Ross MacIver scored a hat-trick, including the opening goal of the Scottish football season, as Falkirk hammered hosts Edinburgh. Ben Parkinson and Connor Allan also contributed to the scoreline for the Premiership side. Meanwhile, Ayr United came from behind twice to defeat local rivals Stranraer. After falling behind to a James Dolan penalty, Ayr equalized through Ben Summers and again through Ross Taylor following an Archie Traynor goal, with Taylor scoring a second to secure the win in Gary Naysmith’s debut.

Group H

Cian Newbury’s header in the 33rd minute gave Hamilton victory away to League One rivals Peterhead. Raith Rovers also secured three points, taking a 2-0 halftime lead through a Morgyn Neill own goal and a Kai Montagu strike. Despite an effort from Elgin City’s Oliver Colloty, Ross Millen scored from close range to seal the result for the Championship side.