Furious Gartcairn boss Mick Dunlop says his side turned in their worst performance of the season as they lost 1-0 to Neilston in the West of Scotland League First Division.
Eighth-placed Neilston’s win dropped Gartcairn down to third, and they now travel to a Johnstone Burgh side that sit two places and three points below them, albeit having played a game more than the Airdrie club.
An early penalty, which Dunlop admits was “a stonewaller”, was Gartcairn’s undoing, and he says they now need to show a bit of character to get themselves back up challenging for the title.
Dunlop said: “It was the worst performance of the season – really flat. “I’m not going to lie, I was really disappointed with that. “We’ve not lost many this season, but even the ones we’ve lost, as disappointing as they were, I don’t think any of them were anywhere near as bad as that. “We didn’t see it coming at all – considering the position we’re in, off the back of the comeback the week before, and what we’ve got to play for. “It was disappointing and I don’t think any of them won their individual battles.” Dunlop added: “The game at Johnstone Burgh will be a battle. “The players need to show a bit of character now, that’s two defeats in a row in the league, which is the first time that has happened this season. “You draw a line under it, but you need to learn from it and you need to make sure the next time we play that you’re right at it. “Nobody’s got a divine right to win every game, but when you lose a game, as a manager at least you can see that you’ve lost in the right manner. “You can’t be getting out-fought, out-worked, and that’s what disappointed me greatly. “You can’t guarantee results, but I can guarantee that will not be the same this