Elgin City manager Gavin Price took pride from his side’s showing as they bravely exited the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup with a 3-2 quarter final loss to Raith Rovers.
City ran the League 1 leaders close at Stark’s Park, but could not find a way back into the match after twice pulling Rovers back to within one goal of a penalty shootout.
Elgin’s defeat in Kirkcaldy ends their excellent run in the competition, having defeated Hibernian colts, Brechin City, Dundee and Airdrieonians.
Price praised the Black and Whites for their showing in the tournament, and he said: “I’m proud of the players for fighting through against a full time team that’s top of the league above us.
“We fought all the way to the end – but I’m really disappointed to be out of the competition as I really did feel we had a chance.
“It has not been easy – we have taken a couple of good scalps with five games all away from home.
“It has been a good competition for us, a bit of excitement for the fans.
“I’m sad to see it come to an end but I’m glad we took part in a decent encounter.”
Price praised his side’s resolve for recovering from a slow start to the match, with midfielder Rabin Omar also sent off midway through the second half.
Price added: “We hung in and had a go. I’m proud of what the players have given, because they could have crumbled at 2-0 down fairly early in the game.
“We caused Raith a lot of problems in the first half, some of the link up between Kane Hester and Shane Sutherland was different class, and Brian Cameron as well.
“When we got the goal back I felt like we were right back in the game – it was a bit like the Dundee game. The red card was right in front of me. I will have to look at it again on the television, but it’s a yellow card for me. It killed the game a wee bit, but it probably upset them a little bit as they maybe took their foot off the gas.
“I just had the feeling it’s that kind of crazy competition where we would nick something at the end to take it to penalties.”
Elgin got off to the worst possible start, falling behind to the first meaningful attack from the hosts after just six minutes. Kieran MacDonald’s cross was headed back across goal by John Baird, setting up Kieron Bowie to prod into an empty net from close range.
It was not long before Raith doubled their advantage on the 25th minute, with Elgin’s defence failing to clear David McKay’s ball into the middle, allowing Bowie to assume control before rounding McHale and slotting home.
Elgin responded well with Kane Hester smashing high into the net on 35 minutes after Shane Sutherland’s pass had ricocheted off Bowie and into his path inside the hosts’ box.
It was Rovers who started on the front foot and took the lead 11 minutes after the interval. MacDonald’s cross from the left flank found its way to McKay on the edge of the box, and the midfielder showed excellent composure to drill a crisp low strike into Tom McHale’s bottom left corner to restore the two-goal cushion.
Elgin’s task was made all the harder on 65 minutes when Omar was dismissed for a challenge which caught Rovers skipper Kyle Benedictus.
The visitors ensured a nervy finish for the hosts when Sutherland slotted past Ross Munro seven minutes from time, with Brian Cameron coming closest to an equaliser in stoppage time when his effort from 20 yards drifted over.