McInally apology after flare up

McInally's side have made a major improvement this season

East Stirlingshire coach Jim McInally has branded his own behaviour "a disgrace" and apologised after his side's play-off defeat by Cowdenbeath.

McInally became involved in an exchange with a member of the Cowden bench near the end of a game that ended in a draw but which Shire lost 3-2 on aggregate.

"My behaviour was a disgrace and I'm ashamed," the former Dundee United midfielder told his club website.

McInally could face a touchline ban for his behaviour during the semi-final.

He had become involved in the heated exchange after Cowdenbeath grabbed an equaliser, with seven minutes remaining, that Shire protested against so strongly they had two players sent off.

Shire thought that goalkeeper Mark Peat had been fouled as John Dempster scored - and Michael Bolochoweckyj and Sean Anderson were subsequently shown red cards by referee Mike Tumilty, while McInally was sent to the stand.

The 1-1 draw ensured that the home side progressed to a promotion play-off against Stenhousemuir.

I didn't do it for any other reason than to calm it down. I am not proud of myself East Stirlingshire coach Jim McInally

And it ended McInally's hopes of completing a remarkable turnaround in Shire's fortunes with promotion.

"I need to apologise," said McInally, who took a side that finished second bottom last season to third top of Division One.

"I was trying to tell David Nicholls to keep the boys calm after the goal.

"Then I saw one of their physios going over to the linesman to say I was behind the dugout.

"I didn't do it for any other reason than to calm it down. I am not proud of myself."

It was not the first time that McInally had hit the headlines during a successful first season in charge of the club who are presently tenants of Stenhousemuir at Ochilview.

In April, veteran striker Colin Cramb parted company with Shire having not played for a month after being sent off for dissent against Dumbarton.

McInally also advised his players to abandon the traditional rules of fair play and not to kick the ball out of the park if an opponent is injured.

It followed an incident against Forfar that almost led to a goal against Shire.