St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright said his side “just fell short” as they lost 1-0 to Rangers in the Scottish League Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
The Perth men created chances and played well for long spells but all too often they lacked composure in front of goal.
That left the door open for Lewis MacLeod, who headed home the winner for the Light Blues on 86 minutes.
That made it a miserable night for Wright and his team who will be without Murray Davidson for Friday night’s Premiership game against Motherwell as the midfielder was concussed and had to leave the park on a stretcher.
Wright said: “I think we were unfortunate not to at least take it into extra-time. Overall, you can’t deny it was a good performance. It just fell short.
“It comes down to decision-making and maybe people should take a bit more responsibility in the final third.”
He added: “We had good control in the first half and, if I am going to be critical, I would say we probably didn’t keep the ball in the second as well as we did in the first.
“We had too many free-kicks and balls going into our box and that caused us a few problems, although we did defend pretty well up until MacLeod got his goal.
“So I am disappointed for the players because they did have a few opportunities and could have got something out of the game.
“Frazer Wright, Michael O’Halloran and Brain Graham all had opportunities so we are disappointed to get knocked out. At times we probably weren’t brave enough in front of goal.”
Davidson was carried off after just 23 minutes but he was well enough to travel home from hospital after getting stitches around his eye.
“He is fine,” said Wright. “He has concussion and his eye was closed but he will be able to get home tonight.
“Concussion rules him out for seven days so he will miss Friday night.”
Victorious Rangers boss Ally McCoist, bearing in mind all the off-field troubles at Rangers and a boycott that reduced the crowd to 13,023, was understandably delighted.
“It was tough and stubborn in the first half but I thought we were the better side in the second and deserved to win the game,” he said. “It was certainly a goal worthy of winning any game.”
Rangers keeper Steve Simonsen was also carried off after hitting his head off a post and McCoist added: “He is away to hospital for a wee check-up \and I wouldn’t be qualified to comment on it until he is looked at.”