SAUCHIE boss Iain Diack cursed his side's inexperience as they were knocked out of the Alex Jack Cup on Saturday thanks to a last-minute Camelon winner.

The Reds had raced into a two-goal lead thanks to finishes from makeshift striker Stevie Dolan and Ant McTaggart.

However, the game completely flipped in the second half as the Mariners overran Sauchie to fight back before scoring with the last kick of the game to win 3-2.

After the game, Diack admitted his side's naivety had cost them.

The 37-year-old told Advertiser Sport: "In the first half, we dominated it and were playing really, really well and looked solid.

"We started the second half pretty well and got the second. I don't know if that caused a wee bit of complacency.

"It was probably a wee bit of inexperience and it was a bit like rabbits caught in the headlights for a fifteen minute spell.

"They need to learn quickly in these leagues that they need to manage games better, especially when they are winning.

"They need to learn to slow the game down and play it at a slow pace.

"They are young, enthusiastic boys and were still rushing around as if they were losing 1-0.

"But, the only way they can learn is by going through these moments and learning from them."

Sauchie travelled to Camelon with a patch-work team with both Darren Petrie, who was serving a suspension after being sent off against Tranent, and David Cross missing out.

However, there was welcome news as captain Terry Hewitt made his first competitive appearance of the season and lasted about an hour.

Diack continued: "Darren has been arguably our best player since he came to the club in terms of his performances.

"He got sent off last week for something silly in a heat of the moment incident that does not reflect his character at all.

"But, if people had said to me you can lose Darren Petrie for a game, I would rather lose him for the Camelon game."

The gaffer added: "He's (Hewitt) not played a lot of football in the last few months and trained very little.

"But, he did really well and lasted about 60 minutes. It's another body and another guy who I completely and utterly trust when he's got to go and play."

Sauchie next travel to Fife on Saturday to face Crossgates Primrose in the league.