ALLOA forward Jamie Longworth insists there were plenty of positives to be taken from Saturday’s Irn Bru Cup defeat, but admitted that missed opportunities proved to be the difference.

The former Stranraer hitman was left frustrated after being denied once by the woodwork and later by a reflex save from Queen of the South keeper Lee Robinson.

Longworth told Advertiser Sport: “I think we started well, but dropped out of it a little at the end of the first half then came back into it again in the second half. The game was getting stretched and both teams were finding gaps.

“I thought the first was either going in or going back out to Taggs at right back. I caught it well and thought it was going in, but was disappointed to see it come back off the post.

“The second one I’ve just glanced it. One of the boys said the goalkeeper had caught it with his face.

“I think when stuff like that happens, you maybe realise it’s not going to be your day. It’s disappointing but I thought we did okay.

“You’ve got to take your chances when you’re playing well and when they come, especially when you’re playing against higher opposition. If you don’t, you’ll get punished.”

Longworth admitted the quality of an individual like Stephen Dobbie can often be the difference in a tightly contested cup tie.

He said: “His first goal was an incredible finish and the second one he’s found some great space and scored.

“I don’t think we disgraced ourselves but if you don’t take your chances and you give a guy like him chances, you’re punished for it.”

Longworth said the Wasps will take confidence from the character they have shown against bigger teams into their league campaign.

The focus remains on putting a run of wins together and propelling themselves back into the Scottish Championship at the first time of asking.

He said: “We’ve obviously done well against higher opposition this year. Every game we take positives from and ultimately the aim is to get promotion at the end of the season.”

The Wasps will be looking to build on recent performances as they compete for the title with high-flying rivals Livingston and Brechin City.