IAIN FLANNIGAN admitted reaching 150 games for Alloa was a bittersweet moment as his side lost out to Ross County.

The long-serving midfielder started as the Wasps crashed out of the Betfred Cup at the Indodrill Stadium.

But even in defeat, he insisted that the squad can be proud of their efforts throughout the group stage.

Flannigan told Advertiser Sport: “It’s pleasing to have reached 150 games; I only found out just before the game.

"It’s obviously an important landmark but it would have been even better if we had got the result.

“To be honest, County were the better side on the day and deserved to go through.

“We were desperate to progress and we only needed a point so from that side of it we are very disappointed. We put in a decent amount of effort but we just came up short on the day.

“It’s frustrating because we’ve put a lot into the group, but we have to dust ourselves down and go again.

“There’s a lot we can take from the four games. We’ve had some great results and a lot of the forward players have done really well. We have caused teams problems.

“I think we are capable of performing a bit better. County pressed us well and it was tricky, but there were times we could have got the ball down and played a bit more.

“I’m sure the gaffer will have a look at things during the week and make sure we are ready to go on Saturday.”

Flannigan is one of only three players – along with Greig Spence and Steven Hetherington – who featured during the Wasps’ last stint in the Championship.

They travel to Dingwall for a return clash with County to kick start their first second-tier campaign in three seasons, and the former Partick Thistle man says he can’t wait to test himself at a higher level once more.

Flannigan added: “We are really looking forward to the season. The real stuff starts on Saturday.

“I have good memories from the last time we were in the Championship so I am really looking forward to being back at that level. We want to have a really positive campaign, and hopefully we will be able to stay up.”