St Johnstone slumped to another Viaplay Cup defeat as League One side Stirling Albion hit them for four at McDiarmid Park.
Steven MacLean's Perth Saints were already out of the competition in the group stage after defeats to Stenhousemuir and Ayr.
The top-flight club had beaten Alloa 4-0 but ended the group having suffered three defeats to lower league sides in a concerning run ahead of the league opener next week.
Stirling Albion quickly snatched the lead in Perth as Adam Cummins crossed for Greig Spence to nod home after just 11 minutes.
Ten minutes from half time and the visitors doubled their lead with Lewis Milne slotting home after a through ball from Dale Hilson.
It would be a nightmare start to the second half for St Johnstone as Paul McLean headed home from a corner just three minutes after the restart.
And on 54 minutes things would get even worse for the hosts as McLean again pounced to bundle home following a Jack Leitch delivery.
The result sees Stirling finish the group in second on 10 points behind group winners Ayr.
St Johnstone end the group stage on just three points, joint with Stenhousemuir and Alloa.
