Hugill’s stoppage-time strike gives ten‑man Kilmarnock narrow League Cup win

Kilmarnock secure late win in Premier Sports Cup as St Mirren and St Johnstone also advance

Kilmarnock beat Elgin City 1-0 in the Premier Sports Cup group stage thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Joe Hugill, with the visitors reduced to 10 men after Jamie Brandon’s red card in the 37th minute.

St Johnstone recorded a 3-0 home victory over Greenock Morton, while holders St Mirren defeated Cove Rangers 4-0 at Balmoral Stadium. Aberdeen edged Queen’s Park 2-1 and Dundee United beat Arbroath 3-0 as other Premiership sides advanced.

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Kilmarnock’s late goal decided Group H after the sending-off left them a man down. St Mirren’s win maintained their perfect group record, while St Johnstone’s second-half goals secured a comfortable victory. Several lower-league teams produced notable results across the groups, including East Kilbride’s 5-3 comeback against Dumbarton and Montrose’s win over Stirling Albion.

Group highlights include Aberdeen taking an early lead against Queen’s Park through Dan Happe and Lewis Smith, Queen of the South defeating Brora Rangers 3-0, and Dundee United topping Group B on goal difference after a 3-0 win over Arbroath.

In Group C, St Mirren’s goals came from Samuel Ramos and Luke Douglas, and East Kilbride’s Cameron Elliott scored a hat-trick in the eight-goal match with Dumbarton. Group D saw Airdrieonians beat Annan Athletic 3-0 and Ross County win 3-1 at Clyde. Group E featured Stenhousemuir’s 2-1 victory at Brechin City and Partick Thistle claiming the bonus point after a shootout with Livingston following a 1-1 draw.

Inverness won away to Linlithgow Rose in Group F, while Alloa advanced on penalties after a 2-2 draw with Stranraer in Group G. Kilmarnock’s late Hugill strike ultimately secured all three points in Group H, and Hamilton Academical took the bonus point after prevailing in their shootout with Raith Rovers following a 1-1 draw.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Kilmarnock beat Elgin City 1-0 with a stoppage-time Joe Hugill goal after being reduced to 10 men.
• St Mirren defeated Cove Rangers 4-0 and St Johnstone won 3-0 over Greenock Morton.
• East Kilbride’s Cameron Elliott scored a hat-trick in a 5-3 win against Dumbarton.