Killian Phillips netted twice to help St Mirren fend off a spirited Ayr United comeback and seal their place in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup as Group D winners.
Despite the loss, Championship side Ayr also secured progression to the knockout stage as one of the top three runners-up, advancing on goal difference ahead of Dunfermline Athletic.
St Mirren entered the final group match knowing a draw, followed by a penalty shootout win, would be enough to advance.
But the Paisley side left little to chance, pushing to claim the group outright.
Their intent was rewarded just 16 minutes in, when Phillips latched onto a low cross from Roland Idowu and steered a composed first-time shot past David Mitchell, who might feel he could have done better.
Phillips doubled the lead before half-time, this time arriving unmarked to slot home another pinpoint delivery from Idowu, giving the hosts a commanding advantage at the break.
Ayr, who had won their first three matches and only needed to avoid a nine-goal defeat to qualify, offered little in a subdued first half.
St Mirren could have widened the gap further, but Mikael Mandron blazed over from close range.
Scott Brown’s half-time substitutions, however, sparked a much-needed revival for the visitors.
Dom Thomas curled an effort narrowly wide before delivering a corner that was powerfully headed home by Kevin Holt to halve the deficit.
Thomas continued to threaten from set-pieces, picking out both George Oakley and Holt again, though debutant goalkeeper Shamal George was equal to their headers.
Mark O’Hara had a late opportunity to kill off the contest for St Mirren but missed the target when clean through. Nonetheless, Phillips’ brace proved enough to see the Buddies top the group.
St Mirren will now host fellow Premiership outfit Heart of Midlothian in the next round, while Ayr face a trip to Championship rivals Partick Thistle.
Stephen Robinson (St Mirren Manager):"I thought we were excellent in the first half – sharp, dynamic, and clinical."
"We got a bit slack in the second half, stopped doing the basics, and let them back into it with a set-piece goal. But I’m proud of the response, and we should’ve scored more to kill it off."
Scott Brown (Ayr United Manager):"It was definitely a game of two halves."
"We were too passive in the first 45 and gave them too much space, but the second half was much better."
"We looked more aggressive, more composed, and created more."
"Maybe I got the setup wrong early on, but I’m proud of how the players responded – we held our own against a Premiership top-six side."
