Kevin Muirhead believes Neilston’s second-half resurgence shows his side are capable of competing at the top level.
And he insists the feeling of disappointment he picked up on in the dressing room at full-time shows just how much belief his players have that they can achieve great things at the Brig O’Lea Stadium.
The Farmer’s Boys went into Saturday’s WoSFL quarter-final clash with Clydebank as underdogs – with the Premier Division side racing into a two-goal lead at half-time thanks to a clinical Alan Kelly header and clever Nicky Little free-kick.
Little headed the top-flight side further in front just after the break, with Neilston’s hopes of making the final four looking to have been all but dashed.
Muirhead’s men weren’t ready to give up just yet though, with former Clydebank man Robbie Halliday quickly pulling one back for the home side.
Darren Jones then cut the gap even further and with 30 minutes still left on the clock Neilston threw the kitchen sink at the visitors.
Despite some late chances the home side couldn’t find a dramatic late leveller, with Muirhead admitting his team gave themselves too big a mountain to climb against top tier opponents.
Muirhead told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “I think our players were a wee bit nervous in the first half and they took full advantage.
“We didn’t start quickly enough and ultimately that cost us. Their experience and professionalism showed in that first half.
“We had some strong words at half-time to try and get a reaction and, despite them scoring 30 seconds after the restart, I thought we did react very well in the second half.
“We had them pinned in for large spells and had a couple of chances in the dying moments to get an equaliser.
“The first half was totally unacceptable but the second half was much more like the Neilston team we have been in recent weeks.
“Most people will look at the scoreline and think us losing to Clydebank 3-2 isn’t that bad a result, but the way everyone felt at full-time told me we have a lot of belief that we could have done so much better and won that game.
“I think that second-half performance especially shows we can compete at that level if we just have a wee bit more focus and belief.”
Neilston are back to league business this weekend, with a trip to struggling Cumbernauld United up next.
While Muirhead isn’t ruling out a late promotion spot charge, he’s focusing more on finishing the season strongly to allow the club to build for the following campaign.
Muirhead said: “We’ve got nine league games left and for me now it’s about finishing the season professionally and positively.
“Promotion is probably more on the dream list than the wish list now. I’d never say never, but it’s probably too big of an ask now the way some teams have started to split away at the top.
“We’ll keep trying to pick up as many wins as we can and it certainly will aid recruitment this summer if we finish the season well.
“It makes us more attractive to players we’d like to get in the door if we are clearly pushing to get in the top three next season, instead of just settling to be a mid-table club.”
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