League Cup round-up: Dundee make hay as Ross County falter
Sunday 24 July 2016 13:02, UK
Paul Hartley's Dundee produced the stand-out performance of Saturday's Betfred League Cup games as they beat Dumbarton 6-2 at Dens Park.
Elsewhere, holders Ross County and fellow Highlanders Inverness fell on penalties to Raith Rovers and Dundee United respectively, while Greenock Morton also caught the eye with a 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Greg Stewart claimed the match ball at Dens Park with a hat-trick while fellow striker Kane Hemmings grabbed a brace as the home side came from 2-1 down to prevail in the Group A match.
Referee Bobby Madden awarded three first-half penalties as St Johnstone made it two wins from two with a 3-0 win over Falkirk; Liam Craig missing the first but Danny Swanson twice converting when he assumed responsibility from the spot. A scrappy third goal after the interval rounded off a comfortable win.
Not such an easy afternoon for Lee Clark's Kilmarnock as goals from Gary Oliver and Jai Quitongo either side of the interval gave Morton the win, while Partick Thistle left it late to record all three points against Queen of the South, Chris Erskine and Steven Lawless scoring in the last 10 minutes for a 2-1 win.
Goals from Ali Crawford, Dougie Imrie and a debut strike by Massimo Donati sealed a solid 3-0 success for Hamilton against a well-organised St Mirren side.
Meanwhile, Motherwell secured their first win of the competition as they won 3-1 at Annan Athletic, Louis Moult striking twice to seal the Group F success.
Dundee United recorded a bonus point after their match at Inverness finished - Stewart Murdoch's goal cancelling out Scott Boden's first half header.
Raith also recorded a shoot-out victory in Dingwall, the Championship side opened the scoring thanks to an Erik Cikos own goal but County levelled through Brian Graham's penalty (75).
But the shoot-out went Rovers' way to ensure they top Group D with eight points from three matches.
There were also victories for Dunfermline and Ayr United as well as Alloa, Elgin, East Fife and Airdrie.
The winners in each of the eight sections and the four best runners-up advance to the second round.
There they will be joined by Aberdeen, Celtic, Hearts and Hibernian as the competition switches to a straight knockout format, with the final on Sunday November 27.
