Sorry Saints stunned by Montrose
● Premiership side off to losing start as Masson grabs winner at Links Park
St Johnstone opened their Bet fred Cup Group B campaign in disappointing fashion as the Perth men went down 1-0 to Montrose at Links Park.
Russell Mclean went close for the Gable Endies in the first half and Saints midfielder Ali Mccann forced Greg Fleming into a save before the break.
Wallace Duffy had a chance for the visitors with a header at the start of the second half, but Montrose got the winner after a surging run from Blair Lyons which allowed the midfielder to pick out Terry Masson who cracked the ball into the top corner 18 minutes from time.
Fleming had to make a last gasp save to deny Murray Davidson as Montrose held on for their success.
In the other Group B game,
Ross County striker Ross Stewart made it four goals in two Betfred Cup games as the Dingwall men enjoyed a 4- 0 success at Brechin City.
The hosts’ resistance was broken on 33 minutes when Stewart cracked in the ball via the underside of the bar and a minute from the break the front man grabbed his second when he slid the ball through goalkeeper Paddy O’neil’s legs
BillyMc kay bundled in a third at the start of the second half with Harry Pat on completing the scoring when he chipped in.
Dundee United defeated
Stenhousemuir 2-1 in their Group A game with Keith Watson’s header six minutes after the break paving the way for their win. Calum Butcher drilled in from 16 yards for a second United goal on 53 minutes with Stenhousemuir getting back into the game with 22 minutes left when Andy Munro headed home.
Peter Grant’s time in charge of Al lo a started with a 3-3 draw against Elgin in Group C before the Borough Briggs men won the shootout 6-5.
Russell Dingwall’s free-kick gave El gina first-half lead, however Alan Trouten equalis ed nine minutes after the restart. Shane Sutherland reestablished the visitors’ lead but Liam Buchanan and Kevin Cawley put Alloa back in front before Steven Bronsky levelled the scores.
In Group D, Peter head and Inverness Caledonian Thistle ended goalless before the Blue To on won a mara - thon penalty kick decider 11-10 thanks to a spot-kick from goalkeeper Greg Fleming after his opposite number Mark Ridgers had missed.
Morton defeated visitors
Dumbarton 6-1 in their first Group E game with Morg yn Neill’s own goal on 15 minutes setting the tone. Peter Grant headed in and Kyle Jacobs shot home the third midway through the first half before Lewis Strapp added the fourth.
John Sutton made it 5-0 at the break, however Ne ill scored at the right end before BobMc hugh completed the scoring for the Greenock men
Also in Group F, Queen of the South drew 3-3 with Annan at Palmerston before the Doonhamers won the penalty shootout 5-4.
Con nor Murray notched the opener for Queens on 23 minutes and three minutes later Scott Mercer tapped in before Ann an pulled ago al back through a Matt y Douglas header.
Stephen Dobbie made it 3-1 at the break but Lewis Mclear and Jordan Holt drew Annan level in the second half.
In Group F, Partick Thistle won 2-1 at Queen’s Park with Kenny Miller scoring his first goal for the Jags when he slotted home after six minutes.
Tommy Robson added the second 11 minutes from the break with the Spiders getting on the scoresheet when Salim Kouider-aissa headed in midway through the second half
Declan Mcmanus marked his debut for Falkirk in Group G by shooting home after nine minutes to secure a 1- 0 win over visitors Stranraer.