Premier Sports Cup round-up as Dundee come back to avoid another Airdrie humbling

Dundee came from behind twice to avert the prospect of another Premier Sports Cup defeat at home to Airdrie as they kicked off their campaign with a 4-2 victory. The Dark Blues went down 1-0 to the Diamonds a year ago in Steven Pressley’s first game in charge and it looked like history was about to repeat itself when the Premiership club trailed at the break. An own goal from goalkeeper Harrison Sharp gave Airdrie an early lead before Charlie Reilly levelled for Dundee. Sam Fisher restored the visitors’ lead in first-half stoppage time, but the hosts gained the upper hand through second-half goals from Ethan Hamilton, Joe Bevan and Ashley Hay. There were more comfortable victories for Dundee’s Premiership rivals Falkirk and St Mirren. The Bairns romped to a 5-0 away win over Edinburgh City, with four of their goals coming in the opening 35 minutes. Ross MacIver and Connor Allan notched either side of a Ben Parkinson double before MacIver sealed a brace of his own late on. Holders St Mirren began their defence of the trophy by cruising to an impressive 4-0 triumph at Dumbarton in their first match since Craig McLeish was appointed boss on a permanent basis earlier this summer. New signings Samuel Ramos and Chris Mochrie both notched in the first half and Spaniard Ramos added his second in the 73rd minute, four minutes before teenager Thomas Falconer sealed the win. The most eye-catching result of the day was East Kilbride’s stunning 3-0 home victory over last season’s Scottish Cup finalists Dunfermline. The League One side put Neil Lennon’s Championship promotion hopefuls to the sword through goals from Lewis McGrattan, Finlay Gray and Cameron Elliott. The Pars’ second-tier rivals Morton also suffered a humbling defeat as they went down 1-0 at home to Lowland League side Linlithgow Rose. Elsewhere, Brian Graham scored a double as Ross County enjoyed a 4-1 win at Annan, while fellow veteran Gary Mackay-Steven also notched a brace in Partick Thistle’s 6-0 demolition of Brechin at Firhill. Former Livingston boss Marvin Bartley kicked off his reign in charge of Stenhousemuir with a 2-0 home victory over Forfar. New Ayr boss Gary Naysmith also enjoyed a winning start as his side came from behind twice to defeat Stranraer 3-2 at Stair Park. Raith Rovers won 3-1 at home to Elgin, while Inverness and Kelty Hearts both won on penalties after 1-1 draws with East Fife and Queen of the South respectively. Premiership trio Kilmarnock, St Johnstone and Aberdeen begin their Premier Sports Cup campaign on Tuesday evening.Dundee came from behind twice to avert the prospect of another Premier Sports Cup defeat at home to Airdrie as they kicked off their campaign with a 4-2 victory. The Dark Blues went down 1-0 to the Diamonds a year ago in Steven Pressley’s first game in charge and it looked like history was about to repeat itself when the Premiership club trailed at the break. An own goal from goalkeeper Harrison Sharp gave Airdrie an early lead before Charlie Reilly levelled for Dundee. Sam Fisher restored the visitors’ lead in first-half stoppage time, but the hosts gained the upper hand through second-half goals from Ethan Hamilton, Joe Bevan and Ashley Hay. There were more comfortable victories for Dundee’s Premiership rivals Falkirk and St Mirren. The Bairns romped to a 5-0 away win over Edinburgh City, with four of their goals coming in the opening 35 minutes. Ross MacIver and Connor Allan notched either side of a Ben Parkinson double before MacIver sealed a brace of his own late on. Holders St Mirren began their defence of the trophy by cruising to an impressive 4-0 triumph at Dumbarton in their first match since Craig McLeish was appointed boss on a permanent basis earlier this summer. New signings Samuel Ramos and Chris Mochrie both notched in the first half and Spaniard Ramos added his second in the 73rd minute, four minutes before teenager Thomas Falconer sealed the win. The most eye-catching result of the day was East Kilbride’s stunning 3-0 home victory over last season’s Scottish Cup finalists Dunfermline. The League One side put Neil Lennon’s Championship promotion hopefuls to the sword through goals from Lewis McGrattan, Finlay Gray and Cameron Elliott. The Pars’ second-tier rivals Morton also suffered a humbling defeat as they went down 1-0 at home to Lowland League side Linlithgow Rose. Elsewhere, Brian Graham scored a double as Ross County enjoyed a 4-1 win at Annan, while fellow veteran Gary Mackay-Steven also notched a brace in Partick Thistle’s 6-0 demolition of Brechin at Firhill. Former Livingston boss Marvin Bartley kicked off his reign in charge of Stenhousemuir with a 2-0 home victory over Forfar. New Ayr boss Gary Naysmith also enjoyed a winning start as his side came from behind twice to defeat Stranraer 3-2 at Stair Park. Raith Rovers won 3-1 at home to Elgin, while Inverness and Kelty Hearts both won on penalties after 1-1 draws with East Fife and Queen of the South respectively. Premiership trio Kilmarnock, St Johnstone and Aberdeen begin their Premier Sports Cup campaign on Tuesday evening.