Inverurie Locos boss Andy Low couldn’t hide his disappointment following his side’s Scottish Cup defeat at the hands of Broxburn Athletic.
The Brox will fly the flag for the East of Scotland League in the fourth round of the competition, which will be their seventh game in this season’s competition.
Low said: “It was a game of fine margins.
“I did think we were the better side. We took the game to them but they are a team with a threat in the final third.
“We were very good on the break but we were hit by a sucker punch.
“We warned the players about that threat but from our point of view we needed to be more clinical.
“Although we were composed on the ball and had good possession, it was not to be and I can only wish Broxburn all the best in the next round.”
It was a very nervy start with both sides cancelling each other out in challenging conditions.
Visiting captain Nick Locke displayed neat footwork on his way through to goal but his left-footed effort trundled narrowly wide.
The home side regularly switched their front three players around with Neil Gauld going close to forcing an advantage but a frustrating half for both sides ended without a goal.
The second half started with Gauld’s curling left-foot effort whistling past the post before, at the other end, Zander Miller’s netbound effort was superbly cleared by Ryan Broadhurst.
Chris Angus was introduced to the action late on in his first appearance since recovering from injury and twice went close.
But the winning of the tie was decided in 82 minutes.
Callum Dingwall rifled in a fierce low shot that Connor Wallace saved but could not hold.
When the ball was sent upfield it was controlled by Miller 25 yards out and the striker beat Andy Reid with a dipping, unstoppable volley.
The narrow win at a very wet Harlaw Park delighted Broxburn manager Brian McNaughton.
He said: “This is a massive achievement for our club and as soon as the players came off we started dreaming about facing one of the Scottish Premiership top guns.
“To go anywhere away from home in the Scottish Cup is really difficult. We prepared well, left our base early and were accompanied by a huge support.”
