Tranent.....................1

Sauchie.....................1

East of Scotland Cup

SAUCHIE assistant manager Adrian Hanson admitted his side have been hit with a bout of bad luck after losing on penalties to Tranent in the East of Scotland Cup.

The Reds came back from a goal down to level proceedings but were hampered by the sending off of Ant McTaggart and couldn't find a break through in extra time.

Hanson told Advertiser Sport: "[It was] another disappointing weekend and another disappointing performance. We don't seem to be getting a break at all just now. We were probably, over the piece, the better team.

"They're not a bad side at all but it's another one where although we got beat I don't think Tranent are a better side than us. They didn't open us up that many times.

"We scored a well worked goal then we lost the man after a bit of frustration but even with ten men we still dominated them. Missed chances again cost us. Once it goes to penalties it's an absolute lottery.

"To be fair, the boy took his goal really well but we came back into the game. The sending off disrupted our play and it took us a bit of time to get back to grips with the way we were playing."

However, despite the heartbreak involved in exiting cup competition, Hanson is convinced Sauchie can use the result as motivation to turn things around in the league.

He added: "We have played five teams in the Super League and, apart from Broxburn, I don't think we have played anyone better than us. There's no panic button getting pressed just now. We just need to regroup."

It's been a summer of transition for the club and the assistant manager conceded that it's been difficult to garner some consistency in performances.

"We've lost big players and characters during the close season and new signing Connor Kelly got injured in the first pre-season game, so he's struggling for fitness.

"The manager hasn't really had the same group of boys to pick from. I don't think we've even had the same starting 11 this season. There's nobody working harder than him trying to get things right.

"It's been bad luck but it needs to change quickly because the last thing we want to be doing is losing games of football.

"The manager will have a full squad to choose from at the weekend so hopefully we can kick on from there."