Clark demands more maturity as Kilmarnock crash out
LEE CLARK told his Kilmarnock side to grow up after they exited the Betfred Cup with a lame goalless draw against Albion Rovers at Rugby Park.
Seven of Clark’s young summer signings featured along with 18-year-old substitute Greg Taylor but after being matched by the League One outfit, the Coatbridge side picked up the extra point with a penalty shootout win.
Killie finished second place behind Morton in Group H with seven points which is not enough to be included in the four best-placed runners-up who go into today’s last-16 draw.
Turning to the Ladbrokes Premiership campaign which begins next week with a home match against Motherwell, Clark said: “We have to be ready. Let’s not be little babies about it.
“They’ve got to come out and show more than has been shown so far.”
Meanwhile, Morton clinched top spot in Group H thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win over 10-man Berwick Rangers.
Jamie Lindsay, recently signed on loan from Celtic, opened the scoring for Morton after only two minutes with a low drive. Michael Tidser then teed up Jai Quitongo for a slick second.
In Group A, Peterhead secured first place in sensational fashion, coming from two behind to draw 3-3 at Dumbarton before winning the subsequent penalty shootout.
Kevin Dzierzawski gave Peterhead the early lead only for Robert Thomson to equalise before David Smith’s header and Ryan Stevenson’s penalty gave the Sons the lead.
However, a close-range strike from Leighton McIntosh in the 57th minute gave Peterhead hope of a comeback, realised when Rory McAllister swept home a 70th-minute penalty.
Peterhead’s eventual two-point haul eliminated East Fife.
Paul Hartley’s Dundee, one of three top-flight casualties in the first round so far, bowed out with a 7-0 thrashing of Forfar Athletic at Dens Park.
St Johnstone coasted into the knockout stages as winners of Group B courtesy of an easy 4-0 win over Stirling Albion.
Falkirk’s 2-0 victory over Brechin City was not sufficient to avoid an early elimination as goals from Luca Gasparotto and Nathan Austin secured a hollow three points.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle will almost certainly win Group C after a merciless 7-0 demolition of Arbroath.
Scott Boden scored three for the Highlanders, who have definitely qualified for the second round.
Alloa Athletic completed a flawless campaign in Group D after an impressive 1-0 success at Raith Rovers, who were knocked out. Against his old club, Greig Spence netted the winner in the 34th minute from Jon Robertson’s measured pass.
Eliminated holders Ross County ended a disappointing group stage on a high note with a 7-0 thrashing of Cove Rangers. Brian Graham netted a hattrick during the contest.
In Group E, Queen of the South left it late to book their spot in the last 16, as Jamie Hamill’s late winner snatched a 1-0 victory over Stenhousemuir.
The former Hearts midfielder’s fortunate cross-cum-shot evaded Stenhousemuir goalkeeper Colin McCabe in the 78th minute to clinch his side’s progress as one of the best runners-up.
At New Douglas Park, Louis Longridge’s 55th-minute strike was sufficient to give Hamilton Academical a 2-1 win over Livingston, thereby securing top spot in Group G. Alex D’Acol opened the scoring in the 22nd minute for Hamilton, who prevailed in the tie despite a Remi Matthews own goal.