Cumnock Juniors manager Tony McInally says a woeful 20 minute spell in the first half cost them as they lost 5-1 to Formartine United in the Scottish Cup.

The spell began in the 17th minute of the first round replay at Townhead Park, when United’s Jonathan Smith slid the ball through to the onrushing Graeme Rodger who blasted in.

The away side had their second minutes later, Daniel Park’s cross-cum-shot finding Smith at the back post to tap in.

Their third came via a wonder strike from Tyler Mykyta, when striving forward he hit a speculative effort from 30-yards out that rocketed into the top left corner.

Scott Lisle then completed the first half rout just before the break turning in a cross during a scramble in the box.

The Nock then grabbed one back straight away after the break via defender Kyle McAusland.

However, the goal was little more than a consolation though as United completed the scoring late in the game when Mykyta’s cross from the left was tapped in at the back post by substitute Cole Anderson.

Speaking to the Chronicle, McInally said: “I thought that it was a sore result, I did not think we deserved that.

“We had a really bad 20 minute spell in the first half and they took the game away from us.

“After 16 minutes it is 0-0 and after 38 minutes it is 4-0, there is not a lot you can do about that,

“But the players need to learn about the emotional way of playing and the red mist coming down.”

Next up for McInally’s men is a quick return to league action as they face Troon at Townhead Park this evening[Wednesday].

The gaffer says it is full focus now on the league and their remaining cup competitions.

“The players will have been hurting over the weekend as we would have liked to have gone further than we did.

“We are back to our bread and butter now though and that is where we should be focusing our energy, in the the cups at our level and the league.

“We need to push up the table and get as high up the league as much as we can.”