Shotts keep 'selling cheap goals', says boss as he's left frustrated by narrow Cumnock defeat

Shotts boss John McKeown admits a familiar story of ‘selling cheap goals’ cost his side as they lost narrowly to his old club Cumnock on Saturday.

The Hannah Park outfit shot themselves in the foot when a short pass back was pounced upon by Jamie Conn in 21 minutes and that was all that separated the side’s in 1-0 win for the visitors.

It keeps Shotts second from bottom in the West of Scotland Premier Division with four points from 10 games and McKeown sighed: “It is the story of our season again.

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“We are selling cheap goals and missing opportunities when we create them. It is frustrating.

“I’m not saying we deserved to win the game but I don’t think anybody could have denied us a point from it. But that’s this league, it is harsh on you. You need to be on it in every game or you get punished for every mistake you make.

“We made a short pass back and their boy capitalises on it and scores, whereas in previous years maybe they’d have missed it.

“Then, when we make chances, their goalkeeper made some good saves. We need to be more ruthless.

“It is a learning curve for everyone. I said to the boys after it that I can still see we are giving 110 per cent and they will pick up points. We are just hoping we can go on a wee run soon because we aren’t a million miles away.

“We just need to keep working hard and do the basics right.”

Shotts now face a re-arranged South Challenge Cup third round tie with Albion Rovers this Saturday, after the game was called off last month due to a waterlogged pitch.

McKeown added: “It is a huge game and all part of this season’s adventure for us.

“It is good to play a club another step up the levels in the Lowland League.

“When I played, most people remember Albion Rovers from playing in the professional leagues so it is still quite a big fan base to what we normally come up against.

“Hopefully we get the game on this time. We are looking forward to it.”