Albion Rovers boss Brian Reid insisted his side played well but were punished for individual mistakes as a rampant Kelty Hearts thumped his team 6-1.
The Wee Rovers were well in the game at half-time, despite being 2-1 down. Nathan Austin and Daniel Finlayson goals cancelled out Corey O’Donnell’s effort.
Austin added a second three minutes after half-time when Albion Rovers goalkeeper Cameron Binnie cleared a cross off the striker’s back, with Botti Biabi’s double and a Jamie Barjonas strike compounding a miserable afternoon for the Coatbridge team.
Rovers are eighth in League Two after defeat to the runaway leaders.
Reid said: “You might find it hard to believe but I actually thought we played quite well in spells. I thought first half we were unlucky to go down 2-1. A fairer reflection would have been 2-2.
“We scored and had chances. We hit the woodwork a couple of times. But the first goal is a poor goal as we have too high of a line and he just runs in behind.
“He might have been offside but it’s marginal. We need to make sure we drop in and not take any chances as that’s happened before. It killed us a bit and that can be trouble against Kelty.
“But the players showed good character and caused them problems. But we conceded a really poor second goal and all the hard work we did was undone by poor defensive work.
“We aimed to keep it tight but then for some unknown reason, we passed the ball back to the goalkeeper from the halfway line. He plays it off Austin and then it loops over the top of him.
“You’re 3-1 down and that takes the stuffing out you. Goals change games and we concede a fourth. But Kelty are a good team and can do this to other teams.
“They are a step above every team in this league.
"The goals we lose are poor defensively and we were punished. We won’t be judged on games against Kelty but it’s a lesson learned.”
Reid’s side return to action on Saturday in a pivotal match with basement club Cowdenbeath, and he says his side must respond positively.
Reid added: “I am disappointed as we had a good wee support up there with us. We did have a go but we can’t defend in the manner that we did. We have to give ourselves a chance.
“That has got to be better. We will not make excuses.
"There were a lot of good performances in the team but it’s in the fine moments where we need to be better.”
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