Gary Holt demanded his Livingston side be more clinical in front of goal after they eventually overcame Falkirk 4-3 on penalties in the opening Group G match in the Betfred Cup.
Debutant Lyndon Dykes gave the Scottish Premiership side the lead but League One Falkirk equalised in dramatic circumstances, as Conor Sammon forced the ball home after it dropped to him in the box in injury time.
The Lions prevailed on penalties with Matija Sarkic saving from Michael Tidser and Lewis Toshney to give them the bonus point.
However, Holt felt his men should have put the game beyond doubt.
He said: "We have to be more clinical, we have to kill games off, but I did say at the end of the game if we take it 1-0, we'll take it 1-0.
"The goal is disappointing, it's too easy to get in.
"It's not defended well enough when it's came in and big Mat is caught in two minds, does he punch it away or try to catch it, and that is the things you learn from these games.
"We were a wee bit passive when we got into the final third. It's things to work on, but it's the first competitive game.
"It takes cahonas to step up and take penalties and we got that extra point."
Falkirk boss Ray McKinnon said: "Obviously I'm delighted. The new group of players showed a lot of courage and determination there to keep fghting to the end to get a point.
"You have to be pleased with that against a team that has done well in the Premiership
"We were really light in numbers so for that squad to go out there and give that commitment is a great platform to build on."
