CUMNOCK Juniors boss Stephen Swift says it is "fine lines" that have cost his side in recent weeks.
After losing out on penalties in the Scottish Junior Cup last weekend, The Nock faced another cup exit in the senior competition on Saturday, September 28, as they tasted defeat at the hands of Brora Rangers.
And the defeat was one that left Swift gutted - as his side lost out in the most agonising of fashions.
After a goalless first half, Cumnock fell behind around the hour mark when Jordan Macrae converted a penalty.
The award of the spot kick was a controversial one, with Swift sent off for his protests in the aftermath.
Despite the setback, Cumnock roared back into the match and levelled on 84 minutes, converted a stunning free kick from distance.
However, their efforts up north proved to be in vain with Shane Sutherland scoring a superb header in the 92nd minute to ensure the Highland League side progressed from the match at Dudgeon Park
Swift commented: “The last couple of weeks have been gutting, we’re out of the two Scottish Cups and it’s been absolutely fine lines.
“They gave a penalty which I think wasn’t a penalty, but the boys showed character to bounce back.
“It’s a difficult one for us because we’ve been travelling for the last two weeks – it’s been tough.
“I actually think, if I look at the performance and the players efforts, they’ve been really good and we’re really close to where we want to be.
"We have just fell at the fine lines of football – and we were at the wrong side both times.”
However, Swift hopes not to dwell on the defeat, and rather take the positives from their endeavours up north.
He added: “They’re a very good side, they’ll be up there challenging to go up the pyramid.
“We more than matched them, and had our chances to win it as well, before they scored and unbelievable header to win it for them. It’s gutting for us but sometimes you just need to hold your hands up.
“On another day we come away with an unbelievable result – probably one of the best in Cumnock’s history – but unfortunately we just fell on the fine lines.
“You’ve got to take the confidence from the positives. The negatives are the late goals we’ve conceded and we need to eradicate that.
“But if we keep the attitude and the drive to keep getting better as a team that has been thrown together then we’ll be good."
It is those thoughts that Swift will look to take into his side's next match - a South Challenge Cup fixture at home to Lochore Welfare on Saturday, October 12.
He continued: “We’ve still got three competitions that we want to go as far in as we can – in the league, West and South Challenge.
“We’re obviously gutted, we’ve travelled up and down the country and come away with nothing.
“It’s disappointing for the club because they’ve invested a lot in travel and accommodation but I think they have seen what the boys are giving.”
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