MUIRKIRK Juniors have lost top spot in the West of Scotland Football League Second Division.

However, boss Ross Cusick is far from panicked, and took a number of positives despite a "sickening" 1-0 lost at home to Neilston on Saturday, November 30.

The visitors leapfrogged the Burnside Park club courtesy of their victory - which came thanks to a goal in the 88th minute of the match.

Manager Cusick said the manner of defeat was a tough one to take but he was more than pleased with the showing put in by his side.

He commented: “It’s a sore one to lose it late on but I thought it was two really good teams, really going for it.

“It was a wide-open game, it was a miracle it was 0-0 after 88 minutes but to lose a goal with two minutes to go was a hammer blow.

“Overall, performance wise, I couldn’t ask for much more. I thought we were good – the game was worthy of a first versus second.

“It just didn’t fall for us on the day but I didn’t have much criticism to give the boys, there wasn’t too much I could pick with regards to what we could have done better.

“It’s the first time this season we haven’t scored so it’s hard to be critical. If we play at that level we will win more games than we don’t."

The Burnside Park boss is not getting too concerned after losing top spot - though admits the last couple weeks have given his side a bit of a wake up call.

Cusick added: “We’ve failed to win two games in a row, there is no getting away from that.

“The last couple of games have reminded us that we haven’t got a God given right to win games of football.

“Not being top of the league at this stage in the season is not the most important thing.

“If we can concentrate on the performance level and making sure that is the level we bring most weeks that will please me.

“Performance wise (on Saturday) was great it was just the timing of the goal which makes it a sickener.”

(Image: Muirkirk Juniors FC)

Now, the Muirkirk manager is keen to see his team get back to winning ways, something he is confident they are more than capable of doing.

He continued: “I said a few weeks ago we were winning games and not performing well.

“I asked the boys to start to focus on our style of play and I think that will serve us better in the long run, rather than scrapping it out every week.

“I think sometimes we have been guilty of throwing in poor performances against sides that are lower down.

“We just need to take each game as it comes and I think there should be an added hunger now that we haven’t won.

“I hope we can bounce back straight away, it’s important that we do before Christmas.”