A midfielder being called out of retirement and a former player sat on the bench were just two of the issues facing Shotts Bon Accord as they were sent spinning out of the West of Scotland Cup fourth round.
You might add in a last-gasp “stonewall” penalty being denied, and the loss of almost a full team, as John McKeown’s side were left to lick their wounds after a 3-2 defeat at St Roch’s.
Ben Richford put Shotts ahead early on, but First Division high-flyers St Roch’s hit back through Evan Galasso and Ben Daily, to put them 2-1 ahead.
Rico De Marco levelled and hit the bar, but Rock hit a third through Josh McGrillen in 69 minutes.
McKeown said: “It was a hard afternoon. Going into the game we had nine first-team players missing, so we were up against it, from the word go.
“We had to ask Craig Crawford to come out of retirement, while Fraser Anderson, who has left to the club, to come in and sit on the bench for us, along with two under-20s. We were pretty short on numbers, but still had a decent enough 11 out.
“We actually played well in spells, but looked a wee bit leggy and switched off, defensively.
“We got ourselves in front after a good goal, fair play to St Roch’s, good movement in the final third caused us some problems, and they got their noses in front. We pulled it back to 2-2 early in the second half, but their third was an excellent goal.
“We had chances after that and we felt we should have had a penalty in the last minute.
“It was over the other side, but our photographer was there and all the boys are saying it was a stonewaller. I actually spoke to one of their players, walking off, and he thought it was a penalty, so I think the referee has got a big call wrong.
“That’s disappointing, but throughout the game we had chances to score and take the game to penalties, or even win it, without needing a penalty.
“We congratulate St Roch’s and wish them all the best, lick our wounds and concentrate on an important league game next week.”
McKeown now sets his sights on a home clash against sixth-placed Beith, as they scrap to stay in the Premier Division.
He said: “The result was a bit of a sore one, but it allows us to concentrate on staying in the league, and I think it was just a game to far, with all the injuries we had.
“These boys are giving us everything. Even in midweek at the St Cadoc’s game [2-0 defeat] we had three players coming off injured, and the squad is having to dig really deep against quality opposition every week, so it is going to take it out of them.
“But they give their all, and even on Saturday, right to the death, they were bombarding the St Roch’s box, and that’s all you can ask for.
“There’s plenty of effort and commitment, because we don’t have the finances or experienced players that everybody else has.
“We have heart and fight, so we will keep battling on. The harsh reality of the top league is a great learning curve for our squad, but we need to start getting results, quickly.
“Beith got a good win on Saturday, beating Hurlford United, and they’re still the reigning league champions just now, so they will be tough opposition.
“They beat us in the first game of the season, so we know what we’re up against, but hopefully we’ll have some bodies back by then.”