Falkirk beats Hearts; Aberdeen wins with debut goal

Hearts faced a surprising 2-0 defeat against Championship side Falkirk in the Premier Sports Cup, with second-half goals from Ethan Ross and Dylan Tait securing Falkirk's place in the quarter-finals. Despite dominating the first half at Falkirk Stadium, Hearts failed to convert their chances, with Kenneth Vargas notably hitting the crossbar. This missed opportunity proved costly as Falkirk capitalized on their chances in the second half, sealing the victory before Ryan Shanley received a red card in the final minute. The defeat marks a disappointing continuation of Hearts' winless start to the season, raising concerns ahead of their upcoming Europa League playoff against Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, in another surprising result, League Two Spartans advanced to the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Premiership side Ross County, thanks to a brilliant header from Blair Henderson shortly after halftime. Aberdeen also progressed, albeit in a more dramatic fashion, as Topi Keskinen scored a late debut goal to secure a 1-0 win against Championship side Queen’s Park. The Dons, who had previously won all four of their group matches, struggled to find their rhythm without key striker Bojan Miovski, but ultimately managed to clinch the win in stoppage time. In a dominant display, Dundee cruised into the quarter-finals with a resounding 6-1 victory over 10-man Airdrie at Dens Park, further showcasing the unpredictability of this year's tournament.