Dalbeattie Star were left bemoaning their luck against Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday.
Despite putting in a good display, the Islecroft side found themselves on the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline – thanks in part to two controversial penalties.
Coach Chris Jardine said: “We felt at the time we had maybe been hard done by and watching the highlights back we feel even more so.
“At 3-0 me and Ritchie Maxwell were looking at each other wondering how it had got to that stage. We’re just not getting that rub of the green at the moment.
“We spoke to their manager after the game and agreed it was debatable decisions.”
Star were behind in the opening minutes when Jack Dickinson brought down George Hunter in the box. Claims that another Rose player was offside fell on deaf ears and Lee Currie did the honours from the spot.
Lewis Sloan and Keiran McGachie went close to drawing Star level before they conceded another penalty when Hunter again went down in the box, much to the anger of the home players. Once again Currie scored, this time with a cheeky chip.
Again Star went looking for a goal and were close to finding a way back into the game but with less than half an hour to go Alan Horne headed home to seal the win.
Liam Park did set up Steven Degnan to get one back but that was as good as it got for Star, who finished the game with 10 men after Ryan McChesney went off injured.
Jardine added: “We had made all our substuitions and we could have shut up shop but we thought we would try to be positive.
“As good as Bonnyton were, I don’t think they had too many changes so we thought we’d change it and maybe try to nick a goal.
“We scored one and we could have had another, although they did nearly catch us on the break a few times.”
This weekend Star aim to make it through to the first round of the Scottish Cup when they take on Huntly.
It involves a long trip north to face the Highland League side with the winners going into the main draw for the first round on Boxing Day.
Jardine said: “It’s good to get a bit of respite from the league.
“At present we don’t know too much about them. We will be speaking to people we know to try to get some information about them and how they might possibly set up.
“We’ll be travelling up by coach which is great as it’s the first time we’ve been able to do that. We’ll be doing it within the guidelines – we won’t be cuddling each other!”
