Two first-half goals brought Brechin City’s Scottish Cup aspirations for this season to an end at St Mirren Park.
Kenny McLean netted direct from a free-kick after 32 minutes and Jon Robertson added a second just three minutes before the break.
The winning margin might well have been greater, but a combination of reckless finishing and some great saves from City keeper Craig Nelson kept the scoreline to a respectable level.
City manager Ray McKinnon, who had guided his side to a seven-game unbeaten run prior to Saturday’s game, was honest and frank in his post-match comments.
“With the players we had available, our aim was to sit in and counter-attack and to try and frustrate the opposition, and I thought that the lads did really well up the point of St Mirren’s free-kick which led to their opening goal.
“Saints then scored a wonder goal but we tried to keep things compact and have a go in the second half and all credit to my players for the way they performed but St Mirren are a good side and deserved to win the tie.
“I have a good honest bunch of players at the club. They’re fit, committed and determined, and despite being two goals down they still had a desire to win and certainly didn’t want to lose further goals so I have absolutely no complaints with the way my lads performed.”