Penalty agony for Ayr United as Scottish Cup dream ends
Falkirk came from behind to beat Ayr United in their quarter-final
Ayr United boss Lee Bullen revealed Chris Maguire sat in the dressing room "with his head in his hands, devastated" after missing a penalty that could have taken then to a Scottish Cup semi final at Hampden, but admitted the pain was shared around.
Maguire hit the post with a penalty in the 81st minute before substitute Kai Kennedy flashed in a deflected drive minutes later - before the semi-final draw saw holders Rangers handed a clash with Celtic.
Bullen said: "There's a lot of boys really down in that dressing room.
"I've told them they are going to get a lot of highs and a lot of lows in their career. Tonight is a memory they're going to have etched in their minds as one of the lowest points because there was an opportunity there.
"I've heard the draw which makes it even more sore.
"We started the game tremendously well and could have got another two goals but then Falkirk grew into the game and the second half was a bit end to end.
"When you get that opportunity with less than 10 minutes to go you're hoping it's your name that's going to go in the hat.
"It didn't go our way, then two minutes after that we are suddenly facing a mountain to climb.
"We can't allow this disappointment to define our season. We have nine games left in the league where that group of players could create massive history for this football club.
"We have to deal with this pain for the next 24-48 hours then get smiles back on our face and go for that game on Saturday."
Draw joy for Falkirk
Falkirk boss John McGlynn claimed he and Inverness manager Billy Dodds will be delighted to have missed the Old Firm in the Scottish Cup semi-final draw after being paired to meet at Hampden Park next month.
McGlynn said: "I think Billy Dodds and I will be delighted that we are playing each other — and that’s no disrespect.
"We both would have wanted to stay away from Celtic and Rangers and we’ve managed that.
"I thought Inverness were different class against Kilmarnock on Friday night. They are a right good side and we know we will be in a game.
"But Ayr are fourth in the Championship and we have shown we can match them.
"The players have got plenty of motivation to keep their league form going ahead of the semi-final.
"This club was at rock bottom last summer so it’s a dream come true for us to be in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.
‘The fans will love their trip to Hampden. I don’t know how many we will take — maybe 15,000 to 20,000.
"There were 6375 at the game tonight and they have a big occasion to look forward to and it means everything.