Falkirk beat Dundee United in the battle of league champions as East Fife caused the shock of the opening day of the Premier Sports Cup group stage.

The fourth-tier Fifers eased past Championship visitors Greenock Morton 3-0 thanks to a hat-trick from veteran attacking midfielder Alan Trouten.

Meanwhile, in the group of champions, League 1 table-toppers Falkirk were worthy 2-0 winners over Championship winners Dundee United, while third-tier newcomers Stenhousemuir thumped the Highland League’s Buckie Thistle 4-0.

Meanwhile, there were also hat-tricks for Curtis Main as Dundee thumped Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic 7-1, Hibernian’s Dylan Vente as his side hammered Elgin City 5-0 and Aidan Connelly for Raith Rovers as they overcame Stirling Albion 3-0.