Threave Rovers gaffer Vinnie Parker has described his side’s Scottish Cup exit as a “massive disappointment”.
The Castle Douglas side lost 4-0 at Nairn County, missing out on a place in the first round proper.
Parker said: “It was a massive disappointment. Credit where it’s due, the club backed us 100 per cent. They could have chosen to withdraw, like Gretna did, but they let us stay in the cup and they put us up the night before.
“I’d like to thank them for it and we hoped to give them something back but unfortunately we fell short.
“The boys were a credit to themselves and the club. I said before the game they should be able to look themselves in the mirror afterwards and say they gave 100 per cent and to be fair to them they did that.
“Football is massive business up there. They have a lot of backing behind them and some very experienced players. The first goal we lost was poor but I thought we did well, Ryan Adamson was immense and we did everything we could.”
After such a long journey, conceding a goal after just three minutes was far from ideal for Threave with Fraser Dingwall heading the hosts in front from a corner.
Scott Davidson scored a tremendous second from 25 yards just before the break and any hope of a Threave revival was killed off when Liam Shewan got the third, Kenny Mckenzie rounding off the scoring for the Highland League side.
Parker said: “I think at the first goal some of the boys were saying to others to pick up their men that they didn’t pick up their own. It was a big strong header but we responded well.
“At half-time the boys were smelling blood. Nairn were tiring at half-time and we felt we could get at them but in fairness to them they managed the game brilliantly after that.
I think the Highland League still edges the Lowland in terms of standard.”
Threave must pick themselves up from their disappointment when they return to South of Scotland League business against Upper Annandale.
The Meadow Park side are eight points behind leaders Stranraer, although have four games in hand.
“The Scottish Cup is done with now and league matches are our sole focus.”
