SYMPATHY is a welcome sentiment but it cannot lessen the pain of defeat as St Anthony's found out to their cost in going down to a 3-2 Euroscot Eng Cup second-round defeat by St Roch's on Saturday.

That's because the defining image of the windswept McKenna Park affair was not of this Candy Rock side demonstrating how they have come on in leaps and bounds this season and neither was it a stunning string of second-half saves from their goalkeeper John Mullen.

No, the limelight was well and truly stolen by a quite calamitous refereeing blunder from young whistler Tony Kelly that presented the Garngad visitors with their second goal of the game and acted to enrage everyone ... players, officials and supporters whose green and white colours were of an Ants design.

Thirty-three minutes in with the scores tied at 1-1 ... Paul Roan's opener for the Candy cancelled out by Mullen's only error after miskicking the ball straight to the lurking Willie Duncan who compounded the keeper's embarrassment by rounding him before coolly slotting home.

When visiting frontman Jordan Logan went to ground following a challenge from Ants full-back Graham Crawford who angrily stood over the striker and accused him of play-acting.

Referee Kelly, however, stopped play and signalled on St Roch's female physio whose arrival at the scene hinted at her having miraculous powers because one pat from her hand on his back saw Logan jump to his feet and make for the penalty box while irate home team players insisted he should be forced to leave the field of play.

Their protests fell on deaf ears and whistler Kelly was also blind to the physio being on the field of play and only a couple of yards from him when he gave his assent - without any whistle - permitting Candy Rock midfielder Robert McGuire to take a quick free-kick and clip the ball into an unguarded net - St Anthony's No.1 Jonathan Duncan was off his line organising a defensive wall.

St Roch's celebrated while a seething St Anthony's posse chased down the referee but his only response was to yellow card at least one of his pursuers while mayhem ensued all around him.

Home team gaffer James McKenna blasted: "Take nothing away from St Roch's who are a decent up-and-coming side but I have never witnessed a shocking decision of that magnitude in all my time as a Junior player and manager.

"That's now six games on the trot where major decisions from referees have cost us dearly and John Fleming really has to ensure they are up to the job before putting them forward to take charge of Junior games."

McKenna's ire and that of his dugout team was only incensed further when just before half-time as suspiciously offside looking St Roch's forward Baboucarr Mussa was allowed to run through and give his side a 3-1 half-time lead.

The strong wind at their backs second half and some attacking substitutions during the break saw St Anthony's go for broke, however St Roch's were playing much more cleverly against the elements than their opponents did and were making sure the home players did not build up any momentum.

Mullen's handling skills were proving crucial and he saved brilliantly to deny Jamie Docherty and Duncan before Billy Stevenston wasted a heaven-sent opportunity by nodding tamely into the keeper's hands from a free header just four yards out.

Eventually, the breakthrough came when Gareth Timoney rose to power a header home for 3-2, however the closing stages saw St Roch's to the fore again and looking the more likely side as Mussa passed up a hat-trick of clear cut scoring chances with one shot striking the upright.

The closing minutes brought an equalising chance for Ants forward Duncan when through on goal but his parting shot was saved by Mullen's legs and even diehard Ants fans headed for the exit gates at that point.

Delighted Candy Rock chief Andy Cameron said , "The wind was a spoiler for both teams in terms of a football spectacle but I felt we created the better scoring chances on the day and probably deserved to edge things.

"The players are on a decent run and have won five on the spin now, however today was probably not one of our best performances."

There was a double celebration when the Candy Rock travelling party returned to the James McGrory Stadium where Ashfield had knocked out Shettleston 5-4 on penalty-kicks following a 2-2 stalemate.

The higher league Town had all but secured a last-16 place when Scott Anson and Bob Campbell goals carved out a 2-0 winning advantage early in the second half, however Sean Cahill and Andy Yule goals - the equaliser coming in 89 minutes - resulted in spot-kicks and the Possil men's nerve held the better.

Meanwhile, Cumbernauld United top scored in the first-round ties to pass muster with six different marksmen, Gary Carroll, Scott McHattie, Gavin Mackie, Davie Dickson, Chris Zok and Blair Malcolm on the scoresheet as John Queen's men hammered East Kilbride Thistle 6-0.

Pollok needed late-on scores from David Winters and John Sweeney to get the better of Rossvale, while hitman Craig Smith was the match winner as Blantyre Vics won 1-0 away to Port Glasgow.

WEEKEND RESULTS: New Coin Holdings. West of Scotland Cup second round: Vale of Leven 1 Arthurlie 4, Greenock 5 Yoker 0.

Euroscot Eng. Central League Cup first round: Cumbernauld Utd 6 East Kilbride Thistle 0, Port Glasgow 0 Blantyre Vics 1, Rossvale 0 Pollok 2.

Second Round: Ashfield 2 Shettleston 2 (Ashfield win 5-4 on pens), St Anthony's 2 St Roch's 3, Cambuslang Rangers 1 Wishaw 1 (Wishaw win 4-3 on pens).

Ayrshire Cup first round: Kilwinning Rangers 1 Darvel 1(Kilwinning win 4-3 on pens), Craigmark 2 Kilbirnie Ladeside 7.

Second Round: Winton Rovers 4 Lugar Boswell 3, Troon 4 Whitletts Vics 0, Auchinleck Talbot 1 Irvine Meadow 0.

Stagecoach Leagues Super Premier Division: Beith 4 Cumnock 4.

Stagecoach Leagues Super First Division: Kilsyth Rangers 2 Maybole 1.