Elgin City manager Gavin Price calm as club is officially hit with 3-0 defeat for fielding ineligible player in draw with Ayr United
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ELGIN City manager Gavin Price was philosophical after an administrative error saw his side handed a 3-0 defeat against Ayr United.
City battled to a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Somerset Park in their League Cup group stage opener on Saturday, before losing out on a bonus point on penalties.
The point gained in that draw has now been wiped out by the SPFL after City fielded Darryl McHardy, who should have been serving a suspension having been booked twice in last season’s competition.
City were also fined £1000, with £500 of that suspended until June 30, 2023, pending further breaches of the SPFL's player regulations.
Manager Gavin Price said: “It’s a tough one to swallow but mistakes happen.
"The game won’t be looked at any differently, we went to a full-time team and held our own and at this stage it’s about performances and preparing for East Fife in the league on July 30.
“Of course we want to qualify from the group stage, and we have come close a couple of times in the past, but it’s against the odds.
“For me, it’s still a good start. We are going to look at the performance again against Annan.”
Keiran Carty, City’s general manager, apologised for the error and offered to reimburse the cost of match tickets for fans who made the trip to Ayr.
“I’ve got to hold my hands up for this one being my responsibility,” he said. “I would like to apologise to all supporters, players, management and staff as I know how hard everyone worked to get the result at the weekend.
"I will personally refund all travelling supporters who made the journey to Ayr.”
Gavin Price added: “Keiran does a power of work for the club and I’m grateful for the support he constantly gives me personally.
"The management team will take our share of the responsibility as we should have been aware as well.”
Focus for Elgin is now on tomorrow’s visit to Annan Athletic, who top the group after a surprise penalty shoot-out win over Premiership side St Johnstone and a 3-2 win over Queen of the South.
Saints will make the journey to Borough Briggs on Tuesday.
“I was down watching St Johnstone against Annan and it showed that upsets can happen,” Price added.
“For myself and (assistant) Jim Weir, both former players at St Johnstone, that one is a nice one.
"It’s a chance to really test ourselves.”
