It wasn’t losing on penalties that concerned Dundee boss Paul Hartley against East Fife, it was the second half performance that brought about the spot-kicks.
The Dark Blues went a goal up through Kane Hemmings but were pegged back by a free-kick leveller from Kevin Smith.
And Gary Naysmith’s men then took two Betfred Cup points to Dundee’s one by winning the shoot-out
Hartley said: “I’m really disappointed with the way we played in the second half.
“Penalties are penalties, anything can happen, it was the performance in the second half that concerned me.
“We didn’t trouble their keeper at all and I don’t think we handled the conditions well enough.
“It was windy and it was difficult, but we didn’t pass the ball as well as we can and didn’t get up the pitch.
“You are never sure how you’ll be the first game of the season because we’ve not had many games.
“We tried to look at it both ways, it’s a competitive match but we wanted to get players involved as well.
“We picked the team to win the game so it’s disappointing.”
Hartley confirmed that Scott Bain has a “small medial problem” but he “should be okay”.
Greg Stewart is expected back in training this week. Former skipper Gary Harkins — told he can leave Dens Park — wasn’t in the squad.
Naysmith was understandably more encouraged by what he saw of his side.
He said: “A League One club holding a Premier club like that is encouraging.
“It’s a start for us and I won’t be getting carried away.
“We went a bit more attacking after 70 minutes and went 4-4-2 and it worked.
“We ended the game as the dominant team again so started and ended the game well.”
