Albion Rovers striker Michael Paton says his side showed great character to come within a goal of a draw against Livingston in their Premier Sports Cup opener.
Livingston were 3-0 up and seemingly cruising by 48 minutes through goals from Scott Pittman, Josh Mullin and Bruce Anderson.
But after Ayrton Sonkur bagged a goal back in 62 minutes, former Aberdeen and Queen of the South striker Paton met a James McGowan cross on the half-volley to provide a nervy finish.
The 33-year-old says with a better start and higher levels of concentration, Rovers can take heart from the game into their League Two campaign.
He said: “That shows that we can score goals, and goals change games.
“It shows you how good the character of the boys is, that we can go 3-0 down, and not let the heads go down, finish off the game with two goals, and probably be a lot stronger than in the first half.
“I thought we started the second half a wee bit better, more on the front-foot and positionally a wee bit better to press higher up the park.
“I think we sorted out the mistakes in the first half, and were a wee bit braver in the second half.”
Paton was pleased with his first competitive goal for Rovers, but admits it was probably more spectacular in his head!
He said: “In my head it was about 20 or 30 yards out, but in reality it was probably about five!
“I think the ball came from a throw-in, James McGowan has anticipated the ball well, got first contact on it, and I’ve waited for the second ball, it fell nicely and I got good contract so it went in the net.”
The former Brechin City player/boss reckons Rovers have some tough games ahead, but they can take a lot from them.
Rovers host Cove Rangers on Tuesday, before travelling to Kelty Hearts on Saturday, with a midweek clash in Inverness looming on July 19.
He said: “It’s a very hard group, but if we move as well as we did today as a unit, show our bravery and take risks on the ball, if we take that level of performance into the rest of the games, it will put us in really good stead for the league campaign.
“We’re not going to pretend they’re not tough games, but we’re the part-time team in League Two, so we’ve jut got to take these games that we need, going into the league campaign.
“We showed what we’re capable of.
“If we start the games a wee bit better, concentration levels are a wee bit higher, I think we’ll be in good stead for the league campaign.”
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