St Johnstone crashed out of the Premier Sports Cup after a stoppage‑time equaliser from East Fife, while Premiership rivals Dundee United advanced as Montrose failed to hold a point.

Montrose, the Group B winners, had a single chance to reach the last 16 but were defeated 2‑0 by the division‑below visitors. The result left St Johnstone needing a win to stay in contention as one of the best runners‑up.

St Johnstone finished third behind Inverness Caledonian Thistle and East Fife. Aberdeen, Ayr United, Kilmarnock, Ross County and Stenhousemuir joined Dundee United and Caley Thistle as group winners, while Dundee and Partick Thistle secured places as two of the three best‑egg‑placed runners‑up.

The final group winner and best runner‑up will be decided on Sunday. St Mirren will secure Group C if they win or avoid defeat at home to Dunfermline; a victory for Dunfermline would guarantee them progression on goal difference over Queen’s Park.