Falkirk and Partick Thistle suffer shock SPFL Trust Cup exits

Lowland League champions East Kilbride and League 1 sides Alloa Athletic and Stenhousemuir caused the shocks of the SPFL Trust Trophy third round as they knocked out Cove Rangers, Partick Thistle and Falkirk respectively.

But there was to be no repeat of Spartans’ giant-killing act as the League 2 team lost 2-0 at home to Livingston.

Veteran striker Brian Graham headed second-tier Thistle into an early lead at Firhill, but Kevin Cawley dived in to nod the visitors’ equaliser after 65 minutes and the forward powered in his second from the edge of the penalty box with 15 minutes remaining.

And captain Scott Taggart sealed a 3-1 win for League 1’s joint leaders with a stoppage-time penalty.

Falkirk had won their League Cup group-stage derby comfortably 4-0 against Stenhousemuir.

However, it was the home side who emerged victorious this time after a penalty shoot-out.

Defender Liam Henderson was sent off for violent conduct after 67 minutes before former Falkirk midfielder Blair Alston put Stenny ahead from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth fouled Matthew Aitken.

Falkirk equalised through wing-back Calvin Miller’s free-kick with a minute remaining, but Stenny edged the penalty kicks 5-4.

Full-back Adam Livingstone headed East Kilbride into a third-minute lead only for striker Mitch Megginson to fire a 14th-minute leveller before a thrilling finale against third-tier Cove.

Striker Myles Gaffney headed Cove ahead with six minutes remaining, but midfielder Jack Leitch’s close-range finish and forward Steven Boyd’s headere in the final three minutes gave the Lowland League side victory.

Spartans had shocked Livingston with a late group-stage winner before and even bigger win at home to Premiership side Ross County in the League Cup.

They again matched Livingston in the opening half, but a close-range finish from on-loan St Johnstone striker Stevie May after 65 minutes and fellow summer signing Lewis Smith fired the second to settle the tie with nine minutes left.

Peterhead are the last remaining League 2 side after their win over third-tier Dumbarton thanks to midfielder Max Barry 65th-minute header.

Meanwhile, there were wins for Championship trio Airdrieonians, Dunfermline Athletic and Greenock Morton, while there were also wins for third tier Annan Athletic, Arbroath, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Kelty Hearts.