Renfrew paid the price for another slow start after being sent tumbling out of the South Challenge Cup by Cumnock Juniors.
The Premier Division side went into the third-round clash as hot favourites and quickly took the lead from a free header.
‘Frew striker Dominic Innes pulled one back for the Second Division hosts with a fine left-footed finish, but the Ayrshire outfit quickly reasserted themselves by heading into half-time 3-1 up.
Jimmy Quigley’s side were much brighter in the second half, with Scott Morton scoring his side’s second after coming on as a substitute.
And while they battled hard for an equaliser, they just couldn’t find a way to pierce Cumnock’s defence with the top flight team just sealing progression to the next round.
Quigley told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “It was yet another slow start from us and we’re scratching our heads a bit as to why this keeps happening.
“Their three goals were all preventable. They came from our mistakes and switching off at key moments, which is frustrating.
“You can’t give top flight players time on the ball because eventually they will make a difference.
“They’re a big, physical team who play with two big strikers. They were direct and they used their size to their advantage.
“We were a wee bit tentative coming out, but the more we got to grips with them the better we played.
“It was a very good second half from us and if we’d got an equaliser I think we’d have probably gone on to win it.
“I spoke to their management team after the game and they thought we should be playing at a higher level. That’s a big compliment to the boys.
“I still take no pleasure from not winning the game. There’s still a lot of room for improvement.”
Renfrew switch their focus back to domestic duties this weekend, travelling to Burnside Park in East Ayrshire to take on Muirkirk.
With a healthy four-point lead at the top of the Second Division table, Quigley wants to see his side retain control by putting more points on the board by the end of the year.
He said: “The subs who came on against Cumnock all did well. Everyone is getting their chance to play because we want people fighting for jerseys.
“We’ve got a big Demolition Cup semi-final coming up against St Cadoc’s and everyone has a chance to play their way into the team.
“If you win the Demolition Cup, you end up in a play-off for a spot in the senior Scottish Cup. That’s a huge incentive for the players and the club.
“We need to keep our eye on the prize in the league first and foremost. We need to keep putting points on the board before Christmas.
“It’s up to us now to try and kick and be more consistent.”
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