Ross County didn’t earn their place in the next round of the Scottish Cup according to Don Cowie as they go out of competition losing to Livingston in Dingwall
MANAGER Don Cowie says Ross County deservedly didn’t earn their place in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup as they lost 3-2 to Livingston.
Andrew Shinnie’s goal in the 119th minute left the Staggies stunned as Livingston caused arguably the biggest shock of the fourth round.
Cowie says being given a home draw against a team in a lower division and not winning was a huge opportunity missed for Ross County.
He said: "You speak about the Scottish Cup and getting a home draw against a team in the level below us. It is an opportunity to get into the next round and we didn't grasp it.
"We didn't want to be in the position we were, but we managed to get back twice and that is the invitation to win the game.
"But what you don't do when it gets in late as the game as it does is concede a goal. I take responsibility that we shouldn't have conceded a goal so late.
"To get into the next round of the Scottish Cup you have to earn it and we didn't earn it. It wasn't through the lack of effort, but just in terms of doing the right things relentlessly, playing the conditions and making Livingston defend, we didn't do enough. Livingston did a lot of things really well and credit to them."
Robbie Muirhead put Livingston ahead at the stroke of half time from the penalty spot. But Ronan Hale levelled for Ross County 10 minutes after the break.
Cristian Montano put Livingston back in front on the hour mark but Jordan White levelled for County to force the game into extra time.
But Shinnie scored the winner late in extra time to send Livingston through when he connected with Meshack Ubochioma’s cross, with the pair both coming on as substitutes.
Livingston manager David Martindale praised the impact of his substitutes.
He said: "Meshack put in a great ball in and Shinnie did well to steer it into the net," he said.
"We spoke about getting Shinnie on as a nine, his movement is clever and he is a huge goal threat.
"The subs were brought on at the right time and we deserved to go through.
"Take away the Old Firm games, Ross County have a good home record and they have a habit of scoring late winners against us and we have a habit of scoring late winners against them.
"I think we deserved to go through to the next round. There was not a lot in the game, we tried to get the ball down and land on the second contact. It was a tough game and the boys put in a big shift to get into the next round. I thought they were brilliant."
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