IAN MURRAY hit out at his dismal Dumbarton defence as the Sons shipped four goals to Stranraer and crashed out of the Ramsdens Cup.

Despite Garry Fleming and Kevin Smith netting to cancel out Sean Winters' opener for the Blues, the SPFL Championship side couldn't hold on as former Partick Thistle forward Martin Grehan levelled after the break on Saturday.

A late double from Chris Aitken, the second from the penalty spot, condemned Dumbarton to a first round exit and boss Murray was furious with his side's defensive display in the shock defeat.

He said: "I don't begrudge Stranraer the win, they shaded it. I'm criticising our defence because you can't concede four goals. Our players should know just because you are expected to win doesn't mean you will. We have to tighten up at the back.

"It is frustrating because we tell them time and time again what to do, then they don't do it."

The Sons were not the only Championship side to fall at the first hurdle on Saturday, with promotion hopefuls Morton going down to SPFL League Two side Annan Athletic.

Ton boss Allan Moore handed starts to a host of his summer signings – including keeper Nicolas Caraux and strike duo Dougie Imrie and Kabba-Modou Cham.

But it was a familiar face who would come back to haunt the Greenock side as Cappielow legend Peter Weatherson netted the only goal of the game at Galabank to send Moore's men spinning out of the competition.

The Ton boss said: "It is a disaster for us. We had been working on shooting all week and then we have only one on target in the first half.

"These players need to have a good look at themselves in the mirror. I certainly won't be making any excuses for them."

Elsewhere, Hamilton joined the list of big-name casualties as they lost their Lanarkshire derby clash to Airdrieonians. Louis Longridge had Accies ahead after just 16 minutes but goals from Willie McLaren and Nathan Blockley saw the Diamonds over the line as Alex Neil's reign as boss got off to a losing start.

He said: "We really need a bit more experience in the squad."