AS hard as it still might seem to believe, competitive football is up and running again in Scotland after a fleeting summer break.

Most clubs are continuing to conduct business and shape squads, but the beginning of the Betfred Cup group stages over the weekend served as the starting gun for the 2018/19 campaign. 

With eight of the 12 Ladbrokes Premiership clubs involved and several high-profile Championship clubs also looking to make an impression ahead of the new season, who have been the winners and losers so far? 

Here, we take a look at how things stand after two rounds.

Read more: Partick Thistle 2 Morton 1: Stormer from Storer sets Jags on their way to victory

Group A

Jamie Lindsay’s goal was enough to separate Ross County and Dundee United in Dingwall on Tuesday and the Staggies are now in a commanding position with two wins from two games.

Fellow Championship side Alloa are in second place after opening their campaign with a 4-2 win over Arbroath, but United are struggling in fourth due to an opening day penalty shoot-out defeat to the Lichties.

  1. Ross County 6pts
  2. Alloa 3pts
  3. Arbroath 2pts
  4. Dundee United 1pt
  5. Elgin City 0pts

Group B

Montrose are leading the way in Group B courtesy of 1-0 wins over Falkirk and East Fife. The Bairns’ 2-0 victory against Forfar last night put them in second place, with the group’s Premiership representative St Johnstone back in third after needing penalties to get past East Fife on Saturday.

  1. Montrose 6pts
  2. Falkirk 3pts
  3. St Johnstone 2pts
  4. East Fife 1pt
  5. Forfar 0pts

Read more: Motherwell 5 Edinburgh City 0: Frear leads the charge for Robinson's men​

Group C

Inverness Caledonian Thistle hammered Cowdenbeath last night to take control of Group C, where the Highlanders have two wins from two.

The Blue Brazil are behind them in second thanks to their opening day win over Raith Rovers, who are joint-bottom with Cove Rangers having lost their only game so far. Hearts enter the fray this evening, beginning their campaign with a trip to Cove.

  1. Inverness CT 6pts
  2. Cowdenbeath 3pts
  3. Hearts 0pts
  4. Cove Rangers 0pts
  5. Raith Rovers 0pts

Group D

Brechin City’s win away to Stirling Albion on Tuesday – their first since last November – has put them on top of the pile with four points.

Dundee thrashed Albion 4-0 in their opener on the weekend and are level with Dunfermline on three points, with both sides having played just one match.

  1. Brechin City 4pts
  2. Dundee 3pts
  3. Dunfermline 3pts
  4. Peterhead 2pts
  5. Stirling Albion 0pts

Group E

Partick Thistle took control of Group E with a 2-1 win over Morton on Tuesday, having beaten Stenhousemuir three days earlier.

Stenny bounced back with victory against Albion Rovers and they sit in second ahead of Ayr United, who are yet to play a second match.

Read more: Partick Thistle 2 Morton 1: Stormer from Storer sets Jags on their way to victory

  1. Partick Thistle 6pts
  2. Stenhousemuir 3pts
  3. Ayr United 3pts
  4. Morton 0pts
  5. Albion Rovers 0pts

Group F

Annan Athletic are the surprise pace-setters after following up Saturday’s victory over Premiership outfit Hamilton with a 4-0 win over Berwick Rangers.

Accies’ struggles continued on Tuesday as they lost on penalties to top-flight rivals Livingston, who are a point behind the leaders thanks to their opening day win against Airdrieonians.

  1. Annan Athletic 6pts
  2. Livingston 5pts
  3. Hamilton Accies 1pt
  4. Airdrieonians 0pts
  5. Berwick Rangers 0pts

Group G

A Stephen Dobbie hat-trick against Clyde saw Queen of the South go top, but Motherwell have a game in hand and opened their account with a convincing 5-0 victory over Edinburgh City on Tuesday featuring another three-goal hero, Elliott Frear.

  1. Queen of the South 6pts
  2. Motherwell 3pts
  3. Edinburgh City 2pts
  4. Clyde 1pt
  5. Stranraer 0pts

Read more: Motherwell 5 Edinburgh City 0: Frear leads the charge for Robinson's men​

Group H

Newly-promoted St Mirren needed penalties to get past Spartans but remain a point adrift of group leaders Dumbarton after two games, with the Sons also requiring spot kicks to get past the Lowland League champions.

Kilmarnock got off to an awkward start, drawing at home to the Buddies before losing on penalties.

  1. Dumbarton 5pts
  2. St Mirren 4pts
  3. Spartans 2pts
  4. Kilmarnock 1pt
  5. Queen’s Park 0pts