The New Saints boss Scott Ruscoe has admitted he was left gutted by the Irn-Bru Cup semi-final defeat by Dumbarton on Saturday night.

Two wonder goals from Danny Handling and Dimitris Froxylias was enough, after Dean Ebbe put the hosts ahead, to seal the Scottish side's spot in the final and leaves TNS hearts broken.

But while he felt the win was 'smash and grab', he was magnanimous in defeat to the Scottish Championship side, whose travelling of supporters headed back up the M6 delighted.

"It's not unfair to call it that when you look at the chances they had before the goals," he said. "But they were two very good strikes; the second one was an absolute pearler. You don't hit many of them in your career.

"I'm disappointed, gutted – all of it. Two goals like that, it totally takes the wind out of your sails especially after you've dominated the game in possession.

"That doesn't win you games but it's a study of how well you do in the game and against the opposition. We're really disappointed but we can't dwell on it.

"I said to the lads before the game, this cup is a distraction for them away from their league form and they came here to give it a good go. If they lost, then fair enough and so be it.

They were very organised and credit to them."

Ruscoe had to make some late adjustments to his side with Jamie Mullan given time off to spend with his newborn child, but the TNS boss wasn't ready to use that as an excuse as their quadruple dreams died.

He added: "Jamie became a father a couple of days ago and he wasn't available, which is why we had to change it up. But I thought our starting XI was as strong as could be expected – we're not going to make excuses on that one to be honest.

"That's why we've got a squad even though we've got the injuries."