Motherwell under-20s suffered cup heartbreak at the hands of Northern Irish side Crusaders – losing 3-2.
A 92nd minute winner brought the hosts from behind to snatch victory at Seaview in Belfast.
But a spirited ‘Well side, who led until the 84th minute through George Newell’s neat finish, can be proud of their hard-fought performance.
Manager Stephen Craigan named two over-age players in his starting eleven in 20-year-olds Newell and Jack McMillan.
And the Fir Parkers enjoyed a positive start to the match, having more of the possession against their strong opposition.
It was the lively Newell who looked most likely to cause the hosts problems in the opening exchanges, nearly latching on to a lofted ball over the defence before ex-Burnley stopper Brian Jensen rushed out to gather it.
The summer arrival was on the receiving end of what looked like a blatant push in the box ten minutes later, but referee Kris Hames waved play on.
A corner two-minutes later from Liam Brown found captain Davie Turnbull at the back post, but the back-pedalling youngster couldn’t hit the target.
A decent opportunity then fell for Adam Livingstone who saw his curled effort from the edge of the box fly over the crossbar after he was afforded too much time and space.
From then on the hosts grew stronger in the match though and nearly went ahead in the 26th minute.
A low, ambitious effort from right-back Billy Joe Burns looked to be destined for the bottom, far corner, but Morrison did well to get across his goal. The stopper spilled the ball though and Jamie Glackin looked set to prod home in to an empty net, but Morrison did well to recover in the nick of time.
Two minutes later though, the breakthrough arrived. A good cross from marauding full-back Burns was nodded beyond Morrison by Philip Lowry.
Ten minutes before the break, the home side looked to have doubled their lead but the linesman’s flag cut any form of celebration short.
A speculative effort from Michael Carvill came crashing back off the crossbar only to fall kindly for Lowry, who rattled the crossbar again from four yards with what was the last real chance of the half.
Craigan’s youngsters clearly took on board the manager’s half time team-talk and came bursting out of the traps at the start of the second period.
A couple of half chances fell for Newell who looked especially lively after the intermission.
However, it was Turnbull, who had also grown in to game, who levelled proceedings at Seaview.
Campbell slipped Livingstone down the left flank and the positive full-back beat his man at pace before sending a tremendous low ball across the face of goal for Turnbull to tap home.
The midfielder then turned provider as the youngsters took the lead.
The ‘Well number eight skilfully lifted the ball over Sean Ward before sliding a perfectly weighted ball for Newell, who pealed off his marker before side-footing first time beyond Jensen.
And that moment looked set to be the difference, with Motherwell holding their own and nearing an impressive second round victory.
But Burns, who had been a threat going forward on a couple of occasions, popped up with two sickening blows for Craigan’s side.
The leveller came from a set-piece, with the Crusader’s full-back curling his freekick in to the top corner from distance, but in truth Morrison will be disappointed he didn’t keep it out.
With the game poised and on the brink of heading to extra-time, Owens lofted a ball towards the back post where Burns was on hand to nod low in to the net from close range.
It brought a disappointing end to the youngsters trip to Belfast, but it was one that they could take a lot of positives from during an eventful afternoon at Seaview.