Brian McLuckie hailed the character of his young Irvine Vics side after last night's derby defeat against Irvine Meadow.
The Westenders pegged Meadow back from 2-0 down before second half goals from Reece Pearson and Adam Forsyth clinched a 4-2 victory for the visitors.
McLuckie felt his newly assembled team of youngsters gave a good account of themselves as they sampled their first taste of derby action.
He said: "I thought we did well, it was just mistakes that cost us.
"It's a young team we've got with a lot of new players. We just told them to go out and enjoy themselves and they did that.
"We said to them at half-time that they'd shown good character to get back to 2-2.
"It's just disappointing about the mistakes but so long as we learn from them I'll be happy."
McLuckie also insisted he had no problem with the award of a second half penalty - converted by Pearson - that put Meadow 3-0 in front.
Goalkeeper Blair Cousar was adjudged to have pulled back Brendan Sharpe after spilling a cross from the right.
"Our goalkeeper is disappointed with himself, McLuckie revealed.
"He could've been a bit sharper but these things happen."
