It would appear that we have more to worry about than a short cup run.
The manager was fuming as he delivered his post-match comments. He was angry at the referee's unwillingness to award a free kick in the run up to the crucial goal but there was also frustration as he tried to justify his tactics in the face of criticism from voices in the stand.
The Bois can pack that flag away for another year
This costly habit has cost us dear in recent games. Whether due to a lack of concentration or from dubious decisions hardly matters, we have lost points and our place in the cup desperately late in the last three games. It is becoming a soul destroying spectacle for fans, it must be worse for the players.
McGhee was adamant that our approach to the cup tie was correct. We had to nullify their strengths and the way to do that was to play with one striker. Had we played the usual 4-4-2 shape he believed we would have lost more goals. That philosophy was not received well by most of the 4,000 at the game.
If there were any plus points to be found we have to look at the continuing good form of Cadden and the added strength and skill brought by Gomis to the midfield.
Attention now turns to crucial league clashes against Kilmarnock and Dundee United. The first and more important of those comes on Saturday when the Rugby Park side come to Fir Park. We have a two point advantage and a game in hand over them in the scramble to avoid the play-off place. If the old adage about concentrating of the league after a cup exit ever made sense it surely applies to Motherwell now.