Killie and Livi squeeze through to last 16
KILMARNOCK and Livingston both secured progress to the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup despite finishing second in their groups.
The Premiership pair — who defeated Stenhousemuir and Kelty Hearts respectively in their final first round matches — will progress to the knockout phase along with section winners Partick Thistle, Inverness Caley Thistle, Ross County, Falkirk, Dundee, Arbroath and Annan Athletic.
Queen of the South — despite notching a relatively modest eight points — are on course to qualify as one of the three best runners-up as long as Raith Rovers do not win away to Aberdeen today.
Results yesterday mean the Dons are assured of a place in the next round even if they lose at Pittodrie. Killie’s 4-1 home win over Stenny saw them finish as the best second-placed team on 10 points, with Oli Shaw bagging a double for Derek McInnes’ side. In the other game in Group B, tabletoppers Partick enjoyed a comfortable 4-2 home victory over Montrose.
Livingston beat Kelty 2-0 thanks to goals from Sean Kelly and Phillip Cancar.
Inverness secured top spot in Group G after drawing 1-1 at home to Cove Rangers and then winning the penalty shootout.
Ross County savoured a 7-0 home win over East Fife, with summer signings Owura Edwards and Kazeem Olaigbe both netting doubles. In the other game in Group C, Dunfermline missed the chance to finish as one of the three best runners-up when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Alloa before losing on penalties.
Arbroath sealed top spot in Group E with a 3-0 victory at home to second-placed Airdrie, while St Mirren, who were already eliminated, beat FC Edinburgh 3-1.
In Group F, Queens beat Elgin City 2-0 but St Johnstone crashed out despite a 1-0 success over Ayr 1-0 through a Graham Carey goal. Alex Jakubiak scored an early double as Dundee tied up top spot in Group H with a 5-1 home win over Forfar. And Falkirk secured top spot in Group D with a 1-0 home win over Clyde.