QUEENS BOSS QUESTIONS BAIRNS WINNER

Chisholm - unhappy.

Queen of the South manager Gordon Chisholm claimed Falkirk's winning goal should not have stood as his side exited the Co-operative Insurance Cup 2-1 at the Falkirk Stadium.

Steve Lovell's first goal for the Bairns on his full debut booked John Hughes' men a place in Thursday's quarter-final draw.

But after being informed by TV officials, Chisholm felt the former Aberdeen striker's 73rd-minute winner was offside after he was played in by sub Patrick Cregg.

Queens had battled back into the contest after Stewart Kean's strike cancelled out Neil McCann's opener.

Chisholm insisted the contest could have then gone either away and believes referee Eddie Smith's decision to let the crucial final goal stand may have been a costly one.

He said: "I haven't seen the winning goal, but I've been told it was definitely offside from the TV cameras.

"My boys thought it was off at the time so obviously, if it was, I'm disappointed to go out the cup with that decision.

"I've spoken to the officials and they seem to think they were right, but I've been told by the TV cameras he is definitely off.

"I'm maybe being a bit unfair until I've seen it, but I've been told it was definitely off. It puts you out the cup and you want a cup run. It's a costly decision."

Chisholm was pleased with the comeback his First Division side mounted after a poor display in the opening 45 minutes.

He added: "I was disappointed with the performance in the first half, we sat too deep and I think paid Falkirk too much respect and allowed them too much room.

"They are a good passing team and I felt in the first half they passed us to death, to be honest.

"Neil McCann had a fantastic finish but if we defend properly, he doesn't get the strike in.

"I thought in the second half we did much better, we had words at half-time and told them to get up the park.

"We got back into it at 1-1 and I thought the game could have gone possibly any way."

Meanwhile, Falkirk boss Hughes was delighted to overcome May's Scottish Cup finalists, even if his team did it the hard way.

He said: "They are a good side, we've had them watched and wish them all the best in their pursuit to try and get into the SPL. They'll certainly be there or thereabouts.

"We knew how difficult it would be and it turned out that way.

"I think we've got a bit of ourselves to blame for that. We were well in control of the game, back to our best in the first half, but we didn't start the second half well.

"But we showed plenty character to go on and win the match."

Asked of his verdict on the winning goal, Hughes added: "There was a possibility it could have been offside, but, in saying that, I felt their goal could have been offside as well."