Renfrew manager Jimmy Quigley admits being knocked out of the Strathclyde Demolition Cup at the first hurdle is a big blow for the club.

Having won the trophy last season, they lost 3-1 against Third Division outfit West Park United at Huntershill on Saturday.

The hosts raced into a commanding 3-0 lead after just 21 minutes, with Renfrew hitting back through Ben McLernan before the break.

Quigley’s troops missed a penalty in the second half as they searched for a way back into the tie, with their frustrations summed up in the closing stages as both Dom Lavelle and Liam McMenamy were sent off.

The Renfrew boss made a number of changes to his team from the win over Whitletts Victoria a week earlier and reckons some of the players who started the cup tie failed to grasp their chance to shine.

Quigley told Gazette Sport: “I’ll take responsibility for making as many changes as I did. I was trying to give some guys a rest and also minutes to some others and an opportunity to try and impress.

“Making so many changes probably upset the rhythm of the game but I’ll not take responsibility for the level of performance because there was too many below par.

“We should have had enough to get through. It was a really disappointing defence of the trophy.

“We had a target on our back because we were the holders and I don’t think the boys took that seriously.

“Some of them thought they could just do the bare minimum and it would pass but you need to win your individual battles before you get anywhere in football.”

It will be back to the bread and butter of league football for Renfrew this weekend as they head to Ayrshire to face Maybole, with Quigley expecting a tough test.

He said: “It’s a really horrible place to go, especially at this time of year.

“They are a really hard-working team and have started the season really well, with some great results, so we know it’s going to be a tough game.

“I’ve got an injury list of about seven but, if we’re on top of our game, we should have enough to go there and take something from it.”

Kick-off at the Ladywell Stadium on Saturday is scheduled for 2pm.