Dungannon Swifts old boy Oisin Smyth and former Ballymena United midfielder Fraser Taylor were unable to help St Mirren conquer Dundee United in the Premier Sports Cup.
Ross Graham’s close-range header proved decisive as the Terrors beat Stephen Robinson’s side 1-0 to secure a quarter-final away to Motherwell.
Midfielder Smyth, who played the full match, joined the Saints in June on a two-year deal from Oxford United.
Scottish playmaker Taylor, who enjoyed a productive loan spell with Ballymena last season as the club retained their top flight status, featured for 57 minutes after starting the game.
The Saints are at home to Celtic on Sunday and, while disappointed to lose this weekend’s game, Robinson has been pleased with Taylor’s progress.
“I don’t deal in excuses. We played the game today with six players and, if five players don’t turn up, you’re going to lose the football match,” said the former Northern Ireland midfielder.
“We lost the game on a set-play and that was ultimately the difference. We didn’t create but I don’t think United created much either.
“We are tested to the limit with injuries but I was pleased by Fraser Taylor and Ethan Sutherland. Those were the positives from today.
“I’m asking the players to go again and again. There are some who have chips in the bank from last season but they need to step up.
“We liked the feeling of Europe and liked what we saw. But we won’t get that feeling again unless we improve performances.
“We have to reset ourselves. Hopefully we have a few more bodies back next weekend. But we need to be a lot better than we were today.”
Fraser Taylor enjoyed a productive loan spell with Ballymena United last season
Taylor came off the bench midway through the second-half against Brann in Norway on Thursday night to make his first St Mirren appearance in over a year. His corner led to Alex Iacovitti’s leveller before Brann’s two late goals ultimately killed the Buddies off.
“I loved it,” said Taylor after the game. “That’s what I have been trying to show the gaffer and to come on and have an assist, I am delighted.
“I’m an impact sub. Diarmuid (O’Carroll, St Mirren assistant) said to me before I went on to take the free-kicks and corners, so we got a corner straight away and put in a good ball for Iacovitti and he put away a great header.
“It was amazing. I turned round (to the supporters) and gave them a good roar. Brann are a very good team so to celebrate a goal and give the fans something to cheer was special.
“I’ve learned a lot from this experience. Even coming on for 15 or 20 minutes, you can feel the intensity of the game, so this will put me in good stead for the future.”
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland youngster and JD Academy graduate Francis Turley was an unused substitute for Celtic as Brendan Rodgers’ side saw off Hibernian 3-1 in the Premier Sports Cup.
In League One on Saturday, Cameron McGeehan was on target for Northampton Town in their first win of the season as they came from a goal behind to beat Exeter 2-1 at Sixfields, while defender Ciaron Brown scored for Oxford United in their 3-2 Championship defeat at Coventry City on Friday.
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland international Lauren Wade made it three goals in two games for Hearts Women and her compatriot Joely Andrews opened her account for the club as they defeated Spartans 5-0 on Sunday.