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Manager Paul Hartley and midfielder Jamie Masson spoke to the media after our penalty shoot-out victory over Stenhousemuir at Balmoral Stadium in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

Paul said: “We weren’t fluent, we were never at our best.

“I always feel an early goal is crucial in these sort of games.

“But we huffed and puffed and our quality wasn’t great, but it’s cup game, it’s about getting through and we managed to do that on penalty kicks.

“We would like to be better, all over the pitch, but we are pleased to have won in the end.

“It’s not that we didn’t respect them (Stenhousemuir), we know it would be tough and they made a real game of it.

“It was also good that some of the players who had been absent recently got more minutes.

“The situation was so bad we only really had one substitute fit enough to bring on.

“Ryan (Strachan) and Harry (Milne) were there but they haven’t been well, so we weren’t keen on risking them.

“It’s been tough at times picking your strongest team.”

Paul praised goalkeeper Stuart McKenzie for making a crucial save during the penalty shoot-out to ensure we won 4-2 to secure a home third round tie, against Albion Rovers, in October.

He said: “It was a good save from Stuart, but other players did their bit too by scoring their penalties.”

Jamie, who played his first full 90 minutes since suffering an ankle injury playing against Rangers back in April, said: “I don’t really care how we did it, in cup ties it’s all about making sure you get to the next round.

“All credit to Stenhousemuir, they have always been a good team and made it very tough for us.

“It wasn’t the best game I’ve played in and I doubt if it was a good one to watch, but it was very competitive.

“We did what was needed to get through though, so we are pleased with that.

“It’s been tough waiting to finally get the opportunity to play a full game.

“I really enjoyed it and staying on for the full game will help me get sharper and fitter.

“It was hard going towards the end, my legs were in bits, but that’s countered by how great it felt to be back out there with the lads.”

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