The Viaplay Cup opening round of group stage fixtures threw up a host of shock results as Premiership sides St Mirren and St Johnstone both fell to lower league opposition in Montrose and Stenhousemuir, whilst Dundee United suffered a shock loss at the hands of The Spartans.
Despite stressing the importance of a strong start to the campaign yesterday, Stephen Robinson’s men went down 1-0 to a strike from veteran forward Rory McAllister just before the hour mark.
Meanwhile Steven Mclean’s St Johnstone also lost to a single goal away to Stenhousemuir of League Two, thanks to a second half effort by Euan O’Reilly.
LARBERT, SCOTLAND – JULY 15: Stenhousemuir’s Euan O’Reilly (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring to make it 1-0 during a Viaplay Cup group stage match between Stenhousemuir and St Johnstone at Ochilview Park, on July 15, 2023, in Larbert, Scotland.
Perhaps the shock of the afternoon however came at Ainslie Park, where The Spartans defeated Jim Goodwin’s recently relegated Dundee United after a Blair Henderson winner. United were awarded a spot kick just after the hour mark but Tony Watt passed up the opportunity to equalise and the League Two side held on for an historic win.
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – JULY 15: Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin at full time during a Viaplay Cup group stage match between Spartans and Dundee United at Ainslie Park, on July 15, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland.
It was smoother sailing for the four other top flight sides in action this afternoon, as Ross County dispatched five past Stranraer and Livingston convincingly defeated Brechin City 3-0 at Glebe Park.
Kilmarnock also eased past Annan Athletic at home, despite losing defender Jack Sanders to a red card. Motherwell got their campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 win away at Elgin City, with 16-year-old Lennon Miller getting on the scoresheet for Stuart Kettlewell’s side.
ELGIN, SCOTLAND – JULY 15: Motherwell’s Lennon Miller scores to make it 1-0 during a Viaplay Cup group stage match between Elgin City and Motherwell at Borough Briggs, on July 15, 2023, in Elgin, Scotland.
FULL RESULTS BELOW
Stirling 1 Ayr 1
Ayr United win 4-3 on penalties
