East Kilbride coach Blair Munn says Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at title challengers Caledonian Braves proves that his side can’t take anything for granted.
A double from former EK striker Ross McNeil and strikes by Reg McLaren and Zac Butterworth saw the three points stay at Alliance Park, though Cami Elliott bagged his 29th goal of the season as a consolation for 10-man East Kilbride, as Lewis Spence was shown a late red card for two bookings.
The defeat cut East Kilbride’s lead at the top to just a point, but with three games in hand over Braves as Mick Kennedy’s men move into a packed March, with eight huge fixtures.
That starts on Saturday as Kilby host Celtic ‘B’ before visiting Hearts on Tuesday.
Munn said: “We’ve got a lot of games coming up in March, so we’re still top, but hopefully that shows that no game is going to be easy and we need to go right to the end.”
McLaren opened the scoring in 35 minutes, from a Cammy Breadner cross, and McNeil bagged the first of his double 60 seconds later when he picked up a loose ball outside the box and fired into the net.
Kilby tried to get back into the game in 41 minutes, but Luke Main fired over the bar from a Jack Leitch set-up.
The hosts had a ‘goal’ disallowed for handball in 72 minutes as they remained frustrated.
Braves put the result beyond doubt in 78 minutes when Butterworth raced down the left and rattled in a shot via the top of the post.
But they put gloss onto it in 79 minutes when McNeil squeezed a shot under keeper Matty Connelly.
Having been booked earlier for dissent, Lewis Spence was dismissed in 89 minutes.
Munn admitted: “It was really poor from start to finish. We didn’t deserve anything from the game. It didn’t look like we were going to score at any point.
“Caley Braves probably worked harder than us, and took their chances when they came. We threatened a little bit in the second half, but I don’t think their keeper has had more than one save in the full game, so it was a bad day at the office.
“We’re still top of the league with three games in hand, but we need to bounce back.”
Caley Braves boss Ricky Waddell said: “I think we deserved it. We were clinical with our chances and we had more chances early on as well, but I can only be pleased with that. It is a great win.
“Everybody played their part and I am really happy for them. We just want to keep progressing on and off the park.”
Kilby set for 8 games in a month
East Kilbride’s Lowland League title hopes face a pivotal period with EIGHT games lined-up in March.
Mick Kennedy’s men are one point clear at the summit with three games in hand, and start a hectic month at home to Celtic B on Saturday.
That is followed by a trip to Hearts B on March 4 and the visit of Gala Fairydean Rovers on March 8, which is then followed by visits to Linlithgow Rose on March 11, Stirling Uni on March 15 and Albion Rovers on March 18.
A home clash with Cumbernauld Colts comes on March 22 and EK close out the month away to Civil Service Strollers on March 29.