Queen's Park 6 East Kilbride 2 (AET): Kilby proud of SPFL Trust Trophy run after being a whisker away from history
East Kilbride assistant boss Si Ferry says he is proud of his players after they were a whisker away from making history but succumbed to a 6-2 defeat in extra-time against Queen's Park.
Valiant Kilby were looking to become the first non-league side to reach the SPFL Trust Trophy final and came within the width of a post of pulling off a remarkable result against the Championship outfit last night.
The Lowland League champions came from 2-0 down to level the tie at half-time thanks to goals from Jack Leitch and David Ferguson.
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And with the clock ticking down, John Robertson's strike came off the inside of the post in the 90th minute to deny Kilby a famous win.
In extra-time, Spiders' full-time fitness told as they blew EK away with Zak Rudden grabbing his second of the night, Reece Evans bagging a double and goalkeeper Matty Connolly turning the ball into his own net.
Ferry, who was in the dugout with gaffer Mick Kennedy serving a touchline ban, said: "It's a bit disappointing when you go and lose the game 6-2. For 60 minutes we were actually excellent.
"We go 2-0 down and you are thinking: How are we 2-0 down because we've dominated the game?
"We came in at half-time and I was actually really pleased with how we played in the first half.
"In the second half we lost a wee bit of control in the game and I think a lot of that had to do with Ian McShane having to come off. I thought he was outstanding in the first 45 minutes. We started playing long too much after he came off and that played into Queen's Park's hands.
"But then the disappointing thing is Robbo hits the post at 90 minutes. Obviously, if that goes in the game is won. I said to the boys, it is alright getting to extra-time and getting beat but there is a way of getting beat, so we can't capitulate like that.
"I've got mixed feelings because I'm really proud of the first 60 minutes but after that we needed to be better."
Kilby had reasonable optimism of reaching their first major final having already sent holders Airdrie and Championship high-flyers Ayr United out of the competition on the way to the last four. But the Glasgow side proved a bridge too far in the end.
After the match, Kennedy took to social media to praise his side. He said: "For 90 minutes, the boys were outstanding. Hit the inside of the post in the 89th minute. Extra-time, tired legs, mistakes and clinical finishing from Queen's Park see us go out of the competition.
"I couldn't be prouder of the boys with how they played. Stuck to our principles and played outstanding stuff."
