Dylan Levitt says Hibs' dire day at Kelty Hearts was a failure to uphold expected standards.

David Gray's side were booed off by an angry away support of around 1300 at New Central Park after going down 1-0 to League One opposition in the Premier Sports Cup. Calum Flatman's second-half header consigned Gray to a first defeat and highlighted deficiencies in a squad that remains light in forward areas.

But Hibs still fashioned more than enough openings to have put Kelty away comfortably, but they could not summon the clinical finishing that yielded 10 goals in the opening two group stage matches against Elgin City and Queen's Park. There's no hiding place in the cramped surroundings at Kelty and the players were met with fury at full-time, with Levitt taking it as a stark reminder of the standards required.

“It was very frustrating and disappointing," said the Welsh midfielder. "We didn’t move the ball quick enough but we created a few chances and maybe if we could have taken them, it would have gone a lot different. But as soon as you concede, you are chasing it and then time-wasting and everything comes into it. Overall, it wasn’t good enough from the team.

“In the first half, we hit the post and then again in the second half. It seemed like we were getting in the right positions but we just weren’t clinical enough. We are at a massive club and you have to take pride every time you step on the pitch. The new boys know that and when you come to these places, you need to be at the highest level.

“It doesn’t matter who you are playing against, it’s about getting three points and down the road. It’s not a great day for the new signings as well, asking them to go through that. All the boys know that wasn’t good enough and we will review it on Monday.

“We will go through the game and pick out bits, but as a whole that’s not good enough for this club. Moving forward, we need to take positives from the first two cups games into Wednesday and Saturday."

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Despite Saturday's setback, there's been a positive mood around the club since Gray's appointment, and Levitt says he's enjoying working under the club legend. Kelty was the former Manchester United youth's first competitive start, with Joe Newell preferred at the base of midfield so far. But whether he's competing with the captain or playing forward forward, the 23-year-old insists he just wants to be on the pitch, and says flitting in and out of the XI should not stop him from impressing.

“I have enjoyed working with the gaffer from day one," Levitt said. He laid down what he wants from everyone and had a real good three or four weeks now. I am enjoying it. I don’t have a preference where I play, it’s just to be out there, getting on the ball and being able to play forward and keep the team ticking. That [rhythm] comes from training day and day out. You have to be up to the levels of starting games no matter what. It comes from training.”