Disappointed Derek McInnes is ruing dropped points as his side lost to Partick Thistle on penalties.
The Firhill men headed back up the M77 with a bonus point after beating Kilmarnock on spot-kicks following a 1-1 draw at Rugby Park in the Premier Sports Cup.
A late call-off from Kyle Lafferty this afternoon due to a back injury forced the Killie boss into changing system to a 4-3-3, which is relatively unfamiliar to the team this season.
But he isn't using it as an excuse admitting that his side should have dealt with Aaron Muirhead's goal better following a Liam Donnelly opener.
McInnes said: "I was disappointed on the whole, we got off to a good start with that goal. We were forced to play a system we didn't really want to play due to lack of personnel.
"The late call-off from Kyle this afternoon wasn't ideal, we had to change things about.
"There was no complacency from us, we treated it like a cup game, but what we lacked was composure.
"I expected a lot better in terms of quality in possession, we didn't defend a set piece right and I was disappointed with that, that's becoming too much of a pattern in the last couple of games."
McInnes admits he expects to see a different line-up when it comes to Dundee United at home in the league.
He said: "I believe that although the Dundee United game will come round quickly, I expect to have a few more additions before that game.
"We do also need to get boys off the treatment table and back from injury too."
Donnelly opened the scoring in the 12th minute as he fired a powerful header home.
Brian Graham attempted to level the scores two minutes later as he smashed a shot across goal, but Zach Hemming was equal to the effort, getting down well to tip it to safety.
Muirhead brought his side level just before half time with a fine curling effort after facing away from goal.
Steven Lawless had the ball in the net in the 53rd minute, but his goal was ruled out for a tight offside.
It was Killie who had the ball in the net three minutes from time as Oli Shaw fired him, but that strike was also ruled out for offside which sent the game to penalties.
Oli Shaw, Liam Polworth, Kerr McInroy and Ash Taylor all scored penalties, but Fraser Murray's slip as he was hitting his proved a decisive miss.
Partick's five penalties were all scored thanks to Aaron Muirhead, Kevin Holt, Brian Graham, Ross Docherty and Kyle Turner.
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