Shotts Bon Accord boss blasts "complacency" as three-goal lead slips in painful Junior Cup exit

Furious Shotts boss John McKeown blasted his “complacent” side for throwing away a three-goal lead and crashing out of the Scottish Junior Cup third round at Rothie Rovers.

And he says they will need to be on top form at home to West of Scotland Premier League side Glenafton on Saturday to avoid a repeat of their 6-0 defeat at Drumchapel United on October 28.

A Paul McGeough double – the opener was from the spot – and a strike by Ben Richford had Shotts on easy street by the interval, but the wheels then came off as Rothie ran out 4-3 winners.

McKeown reckons referee Ally Bruce had more than a hand in Rovers’ goals, and says they should have held on for the win.

“I was bitterly disappointed,” said McKeown. “We were leading 3-0 at half-time, so should never give the game away.

“There were a number of factors, and we can make any excuse we want. We had six missing and went up there with a couple of under-20s players.

“But you can’t make excuses when you’re 3-0 up and playing so well at half-time, just to switch off in the second half. I can’t put my finger on it, perhaps there was a bit of complacency there. I’ve seen it creeping in over recent weeks.

“We were top of the league, went to Drumchapel and got a sore one, I felt we were complacent that day. We thought we’d go up and give them a game, and they were a level above us, so we had a rude awakening.

“In the first half on Saturday we were fantastic, all over them, pressing them. We scored three good goals, could have had more.

“But at the start of the second half we missed two big chances and then we capitulated.

“I think the referee had a big factor in all four of their goals.

“The first one was a foul on the defender, the second one he gave a penalty and nobody in