The group stage action of the Premier Sports Cup drew to a close on Sunday, with clubs now turning their attention to the knockout stages.

Kicking off proceedings, pardon the pun, were Queen’s Park and Queen of the South. Regardless of the result on Saturday afternoon, neither team could secure Round of 16 football, so they were playing for pride and valuable minutes in the legs. Queen’s Park came out on top in a decisive 3-1 win. Ruth, McDonnell and Shiels were all on the scoresheet for the home side, while Johnstone scored the visitors’ only goal.

Arbroath played under the same circumstances as they took on Stirling Albion, with Dow netting the only goal of the game to secure victory for Arbroath.

One of the shock exits from this round was Premiership side Falkirk, who last season looked dangerous and dynamic but now find themselves knocked out of the competition before it has really begun. Despite defeating Stranraer thanks to goals from Strain, Henderson and Parkinson, it wasn’t enough to send John McGlynn’s side through from their group.

Despite battling for qualification and it ultimately being out of reach, Hamilton Accies still wore their hearts on their sleeves and put on a five-star display for their fans as they thrashed Elgin City 5-0. Stuart Bannigan netted the first professional hat-trick of his career, with Blues and Ryan scoring the other two goals.

Stephen Robinson’s Aberdeen took all 12 points available from their group and became one of five sides to go unbeaten as they produced another dominant display, this time defeating Kelty Hearts 3-0. Talisman Nisbet was once again on the scoresheet, alongside Kjartansson and Olusanya.

Speaking of another unbeaten side, Gary Naysmith’s Ayr United brushed Alloa Athletic aside to claim top spot in their group. Dundee United loanee Stirton bagged himself a brace, with the other goals coming from Shanks and Murphy. Alloa did manage a goal through O’Donnell, but it wasn’t enough to trouble Naysmith’s men.

Forfar, who endured a torrid time in their group, did at least register their first three points of the competition with a 3-1 victory over Brechin City. Shepherd and a brace from Rennie made all the difference, with Martin pulling one back for the visitors.

One team who will be disappointed not to advance to the next round are Montrose, who had not lost a game in the group stage until Saturday. Spartans, who were yet to win a match, got the better of the Gable Endies. A brace from Craigen handed Spartans their first win while simultaneously knocking Montrose out.

Dumbarton against Cove Rangers was another game where the result made no difference in terms of qualification, but it meant everything to the supporters. Dumbarton ensured the Rock remained firm as they secured a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from McIntosh and Lang.

In contrast, Inverness Caledonian Thistle knew that three points would seal qualification as they travelled to face Greenock Morton. Inverness took the lead in the 14th minute courtesy of a Bavidge penalty and held on for the remainder of the match, sealing their place in the next round.

One manager who will be delighted with the resilience of his side is Marvin Bartley, as Stenhousemuir not only topped their group but also went unbeaten. After 90 minutes on Saturday, Stenhousemuir and Livingston could not be separated, so the bonus point proved decisive. Stenhousemuir rose to the occasion, claiming the all-important extra point.

The only other truly shocking result on Saturday afternoon was St Johnstone’s elimination after losing the bonus point to East Fife. The Perthshire side left it late to open the scoring in the 90th minute through Stanton, seemingly securing victory. 

However, East Fife had other ideas as Healy equalised in the fifth minute of stoppage time to send the match to penalties. Despite home advantage, St Johnstone lost the shootout and slipped out of the competition.

Kilmarnock are one team who squeezed through by the skin of their teeth to the next round. Despite losing the bonus point to Peterhead following a goalless draw, they still managed to top their group by a single point — a fortunate break for Neil McCann’s side.

Dundee’s performance was far more convincing this weekend as they knocked four goals past Clyde. Alan Forrest scored his first goal for the club, while Murray also found the net and Wesley bagged a brace. Although they gave a much better account of themselves, Dundee had to wait until the second half to open the scoring.

The penultimate team to secure their place in the Round of 16 were Ross County, who breezed past Airdrie thanks to goals from Lindsay, Turner and Jamieson. Stuart Kettlewell’s side were the fifth and final team to go unbeaten in the group stage.

The final game to bring the group stage to a close was played on Sunday afternoon as St Mirren hosted Dunfermline. Chris Kane scored right at the death to secure all three points for Dunfermline, but regardless of the result, both teams progressed to the next round.

After weeks of matches, countless training sessions and the determination to succeed, the group stage has concluded. For some sides, the journey ends here, while those who have progressed now turn their attention not only to the beginning of their league campaigns but also to the Round of 16.

As is the nature of cup football, when so many teams are eliminated, we begin to see Premiership clubs facing each other, and this year’s draw is no exception. With the Round of 16 ties just around the corner, here are the teams who will battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals:

Hibernian vs Partick Thistle 

Heart of Midlothian vs Inverness Caledonian Thistle 

Dundee United vs Celtic 

Dunfermline vs Ross County 

Aberdeen vs Dundee 

Stenhousemuir vs Motherwell

Rangers vs St Mirren 

Kilmarnock vs Ayr United