FORRES Thistle manager Tony Ross said his players are "gutted" but should be proud of their efforts after losing to Dufftown on penalties in the Elginshire Cup final.
The Jags twice came from behind against Dufftown at Logie Park on Saturday, drawing 2-2 before falling to a 5-3 penalty shootout defeat.
It's the second time in as many games that the Jags have been left devastated late on, having lost the league title to Rothie Rovers 1-0 at Logie Park thanks to an added time goal.
Manager Tony Ross said: "It's a gutting way to lose a game of football.
"We lost the league in the last kick of the game here and now we've lost a cup final on penalties here. It's all pretty hard to take.
"The players are gutted but they have got to be proud of what they have done this season – with the runs they have been on in the league and getting to a cup final.
"I'm proud of everything the players have done."
Dufftown goalkeeper Stewart Black, formerly of Elgin City, was called into action within seconds of kick-off – turning away Matty Fraser's header.
It was 1-0 to the Toonsers within six minutes, though, as Ben Cullen smashed home Finlay Stables' pass from inside the box.
But Thistle fought back well and levelled on 18 minutes when Mattie Davidson's through ball was neatly clipped home by Fraser.
The game went into the break all square – but only after Dufftown passed up two chances to take the lead.
First, Michael Dunn's header came crashing back off the crossbar on 40 minutes and then, two minutes before half-time, Cullen's lob dropped just wide of the post.
The second half was a scrappier affair with few chances at either end until Dufftown edged back ahead on 78 minutes. Finlay Stables' header looped over Dan McLeod in the Forres goal and in.
Just as it seemed the trophy was headed to Dufftown, Forres struck again in time added on.
Michael Dunn conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box for a foul on Matty Fraser and Mattie Davidson stepped up to drill the ball from 20 yards into the bottom right-hand corner.
The game went straight to penalties, where Dufftown prevailed 5-3. Forres midfielder Ross Paterson – who took first for the Jags – was the only player to miss in the shootout, seeing his low effort saved by Stewart Black.
The winning penalty was scored by 16-year-old Aiden Cruickshank.
Tony Ross added: "It's been a while since we were challenging for cups and leagues, so the players have got to take a massive amount of confidence from that.
"It hurts just now but by the time we get back for next season that should drive us on to win things next time.
"The players are down, but they'll pick themselves up and we'll go and win something next year."
Scroll through the story of the match below with our picture gallery.
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