Craigmark Burntonians 3 Girvan 2
Ryan Caddis read the riot act after Craigmark Burntonians ended up hanging on in a game that looked to be done and dusted.
The Dalmellington Dynamos kept up their push for a top-four finish in West of Scotland League Conference A with victory over the Seasiders on Saturday.
Jordan Ryan's brace and a Ryan Connelly strike had 'Mark 3-0 up and cruising at the interval in the Station Park sunshine.
However, they allowed Girvan to claw their way back in the second half and goals from Andrew Heaney and Mark Curragh set up a grandstand finish.
In the end, the Seasiders simply ran out of time as 'Mark moved to within a point of fourth-placed Johnstone Burgh – and still have two games in hand as they bid for a place in next season's First Division.
Player/manager Caddis told Ayrshire Football News: "My overall assessment is we turned up for 20 minutes. We went 3-0 up and I think a few of the boys in the changing room thought the game was done.
"If you give a team a goal, they get their tails up and when they got a second we were hanging on in the end.
"I've went in and had a proper go at the boys there but when you take the heat out of the things, it's maybe a bit harsh as what they've given me this season has been absolutely frightening.
"Reflecting on the day, it was really about getting the three points and we done that. It wasn't pretty in the slightest but it will take us a long way to getting that top-four finish."
Ryan's powerful low finish opened the scoring after two minutes and he doubled his tally before Connelly cut inside and fired home for No 3. Heaney pulled one back from close range with Curragh's header in the first minute of injury time causing 'Mark nerves to jangle.
Girvan wrap up a challenging campaign at home to Muirkirk on Wednesday night and boss Matt Maley said: "The first half we were miles off it. We said at half-time that we had to get a bit of credibility back.
"I was really pleased with the way we turned it around in terms of performance, attitude, shape and self-discipline. We take a bit of confidence from the second half."
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
