County manager Adams cuts a frustrated figure on the Hampden touchline

Ross County boss Derek Adams remained upbeat despite watching his side's 3-0 defeat by Dundee United in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden.

"We didn't perform as well as we can do today but that's taking nothing away from United, I thought they deserved to win the game," he told BBC Scotland.

"We've had 20,000 fans with us today. We've taken the whole of the Highlands.

"We've had a magnificent season. It has been a great occasion, something we may never see again with Ross County."

After their heroics against Scottish Premier League opposition in earlier rounds, seeing off Hibernian and Celtic, County were unable claim a third top-flight scalp in the Hampden sunshine.

United goalkeeper Dusan Pernis was hardly called into action, with the central defensive pairing of captain Andy Webster and Garry Kenneth in impressive form, limiting County to two half chances.

Adams said: "We didn't do enough in the first half to hurt Dundee United. They did very well, they have a lot of top players.

"In the second half my players lost a couple of goals and we didn't really try to get back into the game.

"It looked like the first goal was going to be crucial and that was the case. Dundee United got a lift from that and deserved to win the game.

"But it was a magnificent day for us. We've been able to come to Hampden twice; we are Scottish Cup finalists, you can't take that away from the boys."

An error by Staggies goalkeeper Michael McGovern, where he headed the ball straight to David Goodwillie from the edge of his area, presented the United striker with the chance from which he scored a delicious lob to break the deadlock.

But Adams was reluctant to criticise any individual for the cup defeat.

"The players have been magnificent all season. I don't blame any of my players. Everybody makes mistakes, it's how you respond to them," he said.

"This football club has come so far and to reach the Scottish Cup final was great.

"The support they have given us today, I hope they can follow the games home and away and take this football club forward."

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