Third-tier Alloa Athletic, along with Premiership teams Falkirk and Kilmarnock, and Championship sides Partick Thistle and St Johnstone, have advanced to the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup after winning their respective groups.
Alloa secured a dramatic victory by coming from behind to defeat Championship hosts Airdrieonians 3-2, thus overtaking them at the top of Group C. Airdrieonians' loss also meant they missed out on being one of the three best runners-up to join Livingston and Greenock Morton in the next round. Dunfermline Athletic currently hold the third-best runner-up position but will be eliminated if St Mirren either wins or draws with a penalty shootout bonus point against Ayr United in Sunday's final group match.
Group A
Midfielders Dylan Tait and Scott Arfield scored to give Falkirk an early lead against fourth-tier Spartans. Full-back Calvin Miller added two more goals after the break, securing a 4-0 victory. Third-tier Cove Rangers had been in contention for a best runner-up spot when Mitch Megginson scored an early goal against Queen's Park, but a penalty from Michael Ruth and a late winner by Josh Fowler dashed their hopes.
Group B
Robbie Crawford, Logan Chalmers, and Ben Stanway scored to lead Partick Thistle to a 3-1 victory in their group decider against Championship rivals Ross County. Although Ross County's Jordan White scored late, they missed out on the last 16 despite finishing as runners-up. Meanwhile, fourth-tier Stranraer defeated League 1 visitors Queen of the South in their local derby, thanks to Aaron Quigg's second-half goal.
Group C
Owen Foster's header put Alloa ahead at half-time against Airdrieonians, but Aidan Wilson and Euan Henderson's penalty gave the hosts the advantage. Scott Taggart's penalty leveled the score, which would have sent both teams through, but Steven Buchanan scored a late winner for Alloa. Premiership side Dundee concluded their group stage with a commanding 5-0 win over third-tier Montrose. Captain Simon Murray opened the scoring with a penalty and added another after the break, with late goals from Clark Robertson, Ryan Astley, and Luke Graham completing the rout.
Group D
Scott Shepherd's early goal was sufficient for League 2 Forfar Athletic to defeat Championship visitors Arbroath in a local derby that had no impact on group standings.
Group E
With Heart of Midlothian already through as group winners, Dunfermline sought a big win to secure second place and improve their goal difference. They struggled against fourth-tier Stirling Albion until Andrew Tod broke the deadlock with 15 minutes left, and Rory MacLeod's stoppage-time penalty ensured they still have a chance for a last-16 spot, pending the St Mirren vs. Ayr result. Elsewhere, Ally Roy's goal gave fourth-tier Dumbarton a victory over League 1 hosts Hamilton Academical in a clash of two relegated sides.
Group F
Reghan Tumilty's early goal and a red card for Elgin City's goalkeeper set St Johnstone up for an 8-0 demolition of their League 2 opponents. Makenzie Kirk and Jamie Gullan each scored twice, with additional goals from Uche Ikpeazu, Sam Stanton, and Sven Sprangler. Inverness Caledonian Thistle had a chance to win the group but were routed 5-1 by Championship hosts Raith Rovers, with Dylan Easton scoring a hat-trick.
Group G
With Motherwell already through as group winners, Morton and Clyde faced off in Greenock to determine the runners-up. Goals from Kerr Robertson, Tomi Adeloye (via penalty), and Jackson Longridge secured victory for the Championship hosts, handing Clyde their first defeat over 90 minutes. Ross Taylor's goal ensured Stenhousemuir's win over League 1 rivals Peterhead.
Group H
Kilmarnock topped Group H with a 4-0 victory over League 2 champions East Fife. Jamie Brandan's crosses set up goals for new striker arrivals Marcus Dackers and Djenairo Daniels, while 18-year-old wing-back Ben Brannan scored twice. Premiership rivals Livingston secured their place as one of the best runners-up with a 6-0 thrashing of Kelty Hearts, featuring two goals from Robbie Muirhead and others from Andy Winter, debutant Adam Montgomery, Stevie May, and Shane Blaney.
Metadata: