DECLAN MCMANUS says Dunfermline have only themselves to blame for crashing out of the Scottish Cup against his former club.

The 50th anniversary of Athletic's second - and so far last - triumph in the tournament is approaching in April but their efforts to move a step closer to the showpiece were ended by Jai Quitongo's late winner for Morton on Saturday.

McManus' 12th goal of the season to cancel out Gary Oliver's opener looked set to earn the Pars a replay before the 'Ton struck with five minutes to go.

It earned the Greenock men a home tie with either Peterhead or Dumbarton in round five and a disappointed McManus said afterwards: "We created a lot more chances than Morton. They had maybe three or four shots on target and they have scored two; in that aspect, it is a hard one to take and I think we were the creators of our own downfall.

"Their goals were a bit too easy but also up top we did not take enough of the chances that we created. All in all, it was a disappointing day.

"Even before they had scored in the first half I felt that we were the better team. After they scored we dipped a bit but we managed to get ourselves back into it.

"I got my goal and then Nicky (Clark) had a header that brought a great save out of big (Derek) Gaston. We had the ball cleared off the line and had the momentum then.

"They kept us out and the longer it goes like that it is anybody's game. They hit us on the counter and it was not good enough from us.

"We have to learn from it."

Dunfermline have to recover quickly from their cup exit with leaders St Mirren visiting East End for a televised clash on Friday night.

The Buddies have played a game more than the Pars but are 15 points clear, with the play-offs looking like the most realistic target for Allan Johnston's side.

McManus continued: "It was a cup game; we want to win every game and want to be through to the next round but our main focus is making sure that we are as high up in the league as possible.

"It will be a massive game against the boys at the top. We have beaten them here already so we will be going out to close that gap and make sure that, come the Saturday when everyone else plays, that we are closer to the top.

"We want to close the gap and come the end of the season be in a play-off spot. Right now the play-offs are realistic but we want to keep pushing St Mirren and Dundee United. If they slip up then we want to be the ones who will capitalise on it.

"We are looking forward to it. It's a big game and I'm sure, as we have showed before against them, if we turn up at our best we can beat them."