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Hearts and Livingston claim opening victories in Scottish League Cup

Hearts and Livingston claim opening victories in Scottish League Cup
© Reuters
Livingston triumphed 3-0 at Brechin.

Hearts and Livingston both recorded comfortable away wins in the Covid-hit opening weekend of the Premier Sports Cup.

Gary Mackay-Steven and Liam Boyce were on target as Hearts won 2-0 at Peterhead, while Livingston triumphed 3-0 at Brechin.

Morton earlier became the third team to forfeit their opening group game after "multiple" players tested positive for Covid.

Stranraer were awarded a 3-0 win to join Forfar and St Mirren in being handed three points following coronavirus issues at Ross County and Dumbarton respectively.

Mackay-Steven kick-started Hearts' season in the 31st minute at Balmoor when he cut in from the left and fired home.

Boyce swept home a cross from Northern Ireland team-mate Michael Smith just before the hour mark and both goalscorers had several other chances.

Elsewhere in Group A, there was a surprise as Cove Rangers fell to a 3-2 home defeat by Stirling following some late drama.

Cove fought back from two goals thanks to Fraser Fyvie's late double, but Nathan Flanagan broke clear four minutes into stoppage-time to net his second goal of the game.

Tom Parkes and Ayo Obileye hit debut goals as Livingston won at Glebe Park.

Former Exeter defender Parkes scored with his first touch for the club inside a minute as he converted a corner from close range. Obileye also netted from a corner, heading home Josh Mullin's delivery just after the hour mark.

Bruce Anderson was twice denied a debut goal by the Brechin goalkeeper and his replacement, Jack Hamilton, squandered some late chances before Jackson Longridge stabbed home Alan Forrest's low cross in injury-time.

Raith join Livi on three points in Group D after Lewis Vaughan's 21st-minute goal was enough to edge a Fife derby at Cowdenbeath.

Kilmarnock started their season with three points as second-half strikes from Fraser Murray and Jason Naismith earned Tommy Wright's side a 2-0 win at East Kilbride.

Dunfermline joined St Mirren on three points in Group H after a clinical 4-2 victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill.

Brian Graham fired the Jags ahead in the 16th minute, but three goals in 13 minutes from Nikolay Todorov, Aaron Comrie and Kyle MacDonald put the visitors in command.

Todorov chipped the goalkeeper early in second half before Zak Rudden headed one back.

Calum Biggar's first goal for Queen's Park earned the Spiders a 1-0 win at Palmerston against Queen of the South, who hit a post through Ruben Soares-Junior.

Elsewhere in Group F, which also includes Motherwell, Airdrie salvaged a 1-1 draw against Annan in stoppage-time when Matthew MacDonald cancelled out Tony Wallace's opener. Annan claimed the bonus point on penalties.

Ayr lost a penalty shoot-out against Albion Rovers after a goalless draw at Cliftonhill.

Arbroath joined Dundee United on three points in Group B after Luke Donnelly headed the only goal at Elgin with 10 minutes left.

Montrose joined Forfar at the top of Group C after beating Highland League champions Brora 3-0 thanks to goals from Martin Rennie and Blair Lyons plus a Lewis Milne penalty.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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