Stenhousemuir made to rue what might have been - Irons
Stenhousemuir boss Davie Irons admitted he thought they were close to an upset before going on to lose 4-1 to Partick Thistle in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
The Warriors equalised - after Reece Cole's first half strike - when David Hopkirk pounced to fire the ball past Scott Fox on 68 minutes.
However, thoughts of a Cup shock were quickly extinguished when Thistle regained the lead just two minutes later as substitute Gary Harkins bundled the ball home.
MORE: Stenhousemuir 1-4 Partick Thistle - reportAnd Ian McCall's men ran out comfortable winners with further goals from Craig Slater and Kenny Miller, leaving Irons to ponder what might have been.
He said: "After the goal was scored we let them back in front far too easily and all the hard work goes out the window at that point.
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"We were starting to cause them a few problems and they looked a bit shaky.
"I thought we had a wee chance here, but the second goal takes the steam right out of us and gave us a mountain to climb.
"We lose the next two and it puts a slightly different complexion on the scoreline, which I felt slightly flattered Thistle."
Irons reserved special praise for goalkeeper Graeme Smith who pulled off a handful of good saves to keep the Warriors in it.
However, he admitted the number of goals they are conceding, now 14 in their last five matches, is a concern.
Irons said: "He's a good goalkeeper and has done so well for us.
"He'll tell you that is what he is paid for, but I think he's the best goalkeeper at this level and we're fortunate to have him.
"It's concerning that we need to score three or four goals in a game to win.
"We're conceding too many at the minute and we're going to have to change that."