McIntyre reckons some of his younger players froze on the big occasion

Dejected Dunfermline boss Jim McIntyre admitted that Falkirk deserved to progress to the Scottish Cup final, having beaten his team 2-0.

"I don't think there was a lot in the game, but equally I don't think we did enough to win," said McIntyre.

"The first goal was always going to be key and to lose it from a set piece, from a free header, was poor.

"The boys gave it plenty of effort, but we didn't have that wee bit of quality, that wee bit of bravery today."

The Pars came into the game more after Tam Scobbie's 54th minute opener, but never really threatened Falkirk keeper Dani Mallo's goal.

"For me it was too little, too late," said a downbeat McIntyre, nearing the end of his first full season as a manager.

"It took us to go behind before we started to play with any sort of tempo and do things sharp.

"I said to the boys, 'don't come in with any regrets, make sure you give it everything you've got.'

"It's a good experience for the young boys. I thought they froze today. It's a learning curve for them."

Despite the endeavour of his players, the Pars could not force an equaliser and Scott Arfield's late penalty sealed victory for the Bairns.

Now McIntyre has only league business to occupy his players until the end of the season.

"We've got three games to play and we've got to try to finish as high as we can for the pride of our fans and ourselves," said the East End Park boss.

"I feel if we can get some signings in then hopefully we can challenge next year.

"There will be a few leaving. The budget has not been decided yet and obviously that is going to be key. We could have done with the extra revenue from getting to the final."

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