Hibs fell to a surprise Premier Sports Cup defeat as they were edged out by Falkirk in an entertaining group stage clash. Aidan Nesbitt's clever first-half header punished Lee Johnson's side for a lacklustre opening 45 and although they improved after the break, they could not find a way past their League One opponents.
The Premiership side piled pressure on the Falkirk goal as time ticked away and dramatically failed to equalise when a frantic goal-line scramble ended with the ball was somehow kept from crossing the line. The result puts John McGlynn's team top of Group D with two games played.
Elsewhere, St Johnstone also toiled on a frustrating evening as they were held at home by Annan Athletic. Callum Davidson's side were reduced to 10 men in the first half as Dan Cleary was sent packing after just 28 minutes, and then lost Cammy MacPherson to another straight red in the closing minutes.
There was further pain to come for Saints, too, as Andrew Considine blasted over in the ensuing penalty shoot-out to hand Annan the bonus point.
Livingston, too, had their last 16 ambitions dented by a 2-1 defeat to Inverness. Goals from Austin Samuels and Dan McKay enough for the Championship outfit despite Jason Holt's second-half strike.
Full Premier Sports Cup results - 12/7/22
Fraserburgh 2 Montrose 4
Alloa 1 East Fife 1
Dunfermline 5 Buckie 0 (L)
Falkirk 1 Hibs 0
Airdrieonians 1 FC Edinburgh 1
Ayr 0 QOTS 3
St Johnstone 0 Annan 0
Albion Rovers 1 Cove 2
Livingston 1 Inverness 2
Hamilton 5 Stranraer 2
Queen's Park 4 Forfar 1
