Elgin City boss Gavin Price felt his side’s game management cost them their place in the Scottish Cup.
Rory MacEwan’s goal had Elgin in front at Borough Briggs against Alloa Athletic – a side two divisions above them.
They went into the interval ahead but three goals in 15 minutes at the start of the second half saw them dumped out.
Home manager Price said: “It was a great performance from us in the first half.
“I thought we were comfortable and we deserved to be ahead. But we didn’t manage the game well at all at the start of the second half.
“We just had an absolute nightmare of a 15-minute spell where we’ve been the architects of our own downfall. That spell in the game has undoubtedly cost us the cup-tie which is really disappointing after our first half.”
Price’s side exit the competition a round earlier than they did last year, when they were beaten 4-0 by Hibernian at Easter Road.
They had beaten Lowland League side Berwick Rangers – who were in League 2 with Elgin last season – 3-1 in the second round to earn the tie with Alloa.
Elgin return to league action on Saturday against Stenhousemuir.
