Dundee boss Tony Docherty says cup exit ‘difficult to take’ after three wins

Dundee manager Tony Docherty felt hard done by after his side were eliminated from the Viaplay Cup despite winning three of their four group matches.

Having lost 1-0 to Championship side Airdrie last weekend, the Dark Blues went into their final match on Sunday knowing they needed to beat Inverness by at least a two-goal margin in order to usurp Raith Rovers as one of the four best runners-up and qualify for the last 16.

However, Dundee were unable to find a second goal to add to Zach Robinson’s 60th-minute opener as they became the second cinch Premiership side to exit the competition after Tayside rivals St Johnstone – who lost three of their four matches – also crashed out.

“It could be a story of missed chances, and it could also be down to a very harsh penalty against us at Airdrie in the final minute, that’s something that’s been a factor,” Docherty told Viaplay Sports.

“But of course you need to look at things that you can effect and today is an example of that. We were so dominant in that second half and we had various chances to get that second goal but we never managed to do that, so we’ve got to look at that.

“I feel to go out with nine points and a goal difference of three is difficult to take but that’s the way it is. I’ve got to take the positives from that into the league campaign.”

Docherty – who was impressed with the impact of debutant substitute Amadou Bakayoko – does not believe Dundee’s early exit should be a cause for alarm ahead of their return to the Premiership next weekend.

“There are loads of positives to take, the only negative is that we’ve not progressed,” he said.

“There is definitely room for improvement and things we can work on but if we perform like we did in that second half (against Inverness), with that intensity, I think we’ll be OK.”

Inverness manager Billy Dodds was encouraged with his team’s display despite a third defeat in four group matches.

“I was delighted with the performance,” he said. “We did so many good things. “We looked sharp and dangerous and then they got the goal.

“The game stretched after that and there were so many chances. I thought we deserved something out of the game.

“I’m not pleased with results but I’m really pleased with the performances. We’re going to start scoring goals and giving teams a hard time.”