Saints on the brink of exit
ST JOHNSTONE are facing early Premier Sports Cup elimination after losing another penalty shoot-out.
The 2020-21 winners have only two points from two games with yesterday’s 2-2 draw against Queen of the South in Dumfries following a midweek stalemate against League Two Annan Athletic.
Jamie Murphy’s well-taken double was the highlight for Callum Davidson’s side. The summer signing twice equalised, the second with five minutes remaining, following Connor Murray’s header and a close-range strike from Ruari Paton.
Davidson was furious with his side’s display, saying: ‘It wasn’t good enough. They need to take a look at themselves and I need to take a look at myself.
‘I need to see what I am doing and make sure it is right. We haven’t been beaten, but we haven’t done the basics well enough.
‘We lose our first goal from a corner because we don’t clear our lines. For me that is basic football no matter who you are playing.
‘Lessons have to be learned very quickly. Because when we move up levels we can’t give teams opportunities like that.’
With two games left, the Perth side are six points behind Group F leaders Annan, who continued their sensational start to the season with a 4-0 home win over fellow League Two club Elgin City.
Doubles from Aidan Smith and Tommy Goss ensured that the Galabankies will clinch top spot if they avoid defeat at home to Ayr United on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, captain Nicky Devlin struck late on as 10-man Livingston came from behind to beat Cove Rangers 2-1.
Esma Goncalves was sent off in the 25th minute for lashing out at Scott Ross and the hosts went ahead when Iain Vigurs fired a superb strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the box in first-half stoppage-time.
David Martindale’s side were level inside three minutes of the restart when Andrew Shinnie and Ayo Obileye both attempted to bundle home from close range, the former being credited with the goal.
Cove had some good second-half chances but Stephane Omeonga did well to set up Devlin to fire in off the post with two minutes to go.
Livi joined Inverness on six points in Group G but Billy Dodds’ Caley Thistle have a game in hand.
Ross County got their campaign back on track when Jordy Hiwula’s deflected strike in the 64th minute gave them a 1-0 win over Group C leaders Dunfermline.
The Pars have six points but both Malky Mackay’s County and League One Alloa are a point behind with a game in hand.
Peter Grant’s Wasps won 4-1 at Highland League outfit Buckie Thistle thanks to Conor Sammon’s hat-trick and a Bradley Rodden goal.
St Mirren got their first points of the tournament with a low-key 2-0 victory at Lowland League Cowdenbeath. Jonah Ayunga hit a first-half brace but Saints remain six points behind Group E leaders Arbroath, who came from behind to win 3-1 at FC Edinburgh.
Kerr McInroy hit his first Kilmarnock goal in a 3-0 win at Montrose. The former Celtic midfielder fired home from long range in the 37th minute and Dan Armstrong and Oli Shaw added second-half goals.
Derek McInnes’ Killie moved two points above Partick Thistle in Group B but Ian McCall’s Jags have a game in hand and are in pole position to top the section.
Raith failed to knock Aberdeen off the top of Group A after being held by 10-man Stirling. Aidan Connolly put Rovers ahead but Kieran Moore levelled from close range and the League Two team won the shoot-out to join Rovers on four points.
Dundee and Hamilton both joined Group H leaders Queen’s Park on six points thanks to 3-0 wins.
Cammy Kerr, Paul McGowan and Luke McCowan were on target at Stranraer while Accies, who have played a game more than their rivals for top spot, triumphed at Forfar thanks to strikes from Matthew Shiels, Andy Ryan and Andy Winter.