Chris Cameron insists sloppy Neilston gift-wrapped Bonnyton victory after a second-half horror show.
Goals from Chris Love and David Stevenson breathed fresh life into Thistle’s West of Scotland League First Division survival bid on Saturday.
A fourth league win of the season appeared unlikely at the break with the Farmer’s Boys ahead and right on track thanks to Dylan Fletcher’s opener.
However, a dominant performance after the interval kept the points at the Synergy Arena – with Bonnyton having enough opportunities to ensure a wider margin of victory.
Disappointed Neilston co-boss Chris Cameron said: “I felt we were in control at half-time. We didn’t play particularly well but I thought we had the better chances.
“In the second half, I thought Bonnyton were quite bright but we didn’t come out the traps at all and the goals we lost were really poor.
“We were so soft and so easy to score against for the first and the second was just a comedy of errors.
“We’ve had this a few times where we’ve thrown games away because we’ve given away bad goals.”
A poor first half was served up on a chilly afternoon in Kilmarnock. Thistle had a good chance when the impressive Kyle McAvoy had a header well saved by keeper Grant Hay.
The only other effort arrived at the other end and was converted by Fletcher when the Thistle defence fell asleep.
But the home side set about their task in the second half with gusto and a dangerous low ball from McAvoy was so nearly turned into his own net by Paul Boyle.
Bonnyton did go on to draw level when sloppy defending from Neilston created the time and space for Love’s shot-on-the-turn which found the far bottom corner of the net.
Neilston were wobbling and eventually sent to the canvas when the East Ayrshire men went 2-1 up.
Once again, the defending left a lot to be desired as Bonnyton scampered forward with Chris Gardiner cutting back for Stevenson who applied the killer touch.
Neilston forward Tam McGaughey had a strike well saved by Bonnyton custodian Aidan Winning.
Wilson’s men came close to a third goal with time running out when Stevenson’s effort from a narrow angle was cleared off the line by Shaun Gallacher.
Cameron added: “I’ve said to the lads it’s not like it was a 2-1 smash and grab. They could have easily scored three, four or even five.”
Neilston will attempt to bounce back this weekend when they travel to Dumfriesshire for a date with Kello Rovers in the second round of the West of Scotland League Cup.
Skipper Euan Clark looks set to be available again after missing the Bonnyton defeat having been on holiday.
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