Manager Jimmy Quigley admits it was a “massive missed opportunity” after Renfrew passed up their chance at a Scottish Cup spot next season.
The New Western Park side travelled to Perth knowing they needed to win to keep their hopes of lifting the Cup Winners’ Shield alive which sees the winner progress into the senior Scottish Cup alongside the likes of St Mirren.
But the Renfrewshire club were well below the high standards they’ve set this season, suffering a painful 3-1 defeat with only a late Dominic Innes strike to show for their efforts.
Quigley revealed he wasn’t too hard on his players after a tremendous campaign to date, which sees them on course for the WoSFL Second Division title having already lifted the Demolition Cup earlier this season.
He said: “We just never turned up on the day. It was one of those performances when too many players had an off day.
“The park wasn’t really conducive to good football. The pitch was bobbly and it didn’t suit the way we try to play.
“But even when we tried to be a bit more direct it still just wasn’t happening for us.
“The ball was bobbling everywhere and it was one of those games when everything seemed to go their way.
“We need to look at ourselves in the mirror, though. Normally if one or two boys are off it then you can make changes and turn things around, but there were just too many off the boil.
“It’s a massive missed opportunity. Chances to get into the Scottish Cup don’t come around every year.
“But I’ve not been too hard on them because they know it wasn’t good enough and up to that game we’ve been so consistent. We need to learn from it and move on.”
The perfect hangover cure for Renfrew would be to bag themselves the league title – with just four games left to make it an historic double-winning campaign.
Quigley’s side travel to Kilsyth Rangers this Saturday knowing a win would all but claim top spot given they already hold a seven-point lead over nearest challengers Ashfield.
He said: “We need to use this disappointment as fuel to go on and get the job done in the league.
“Three more points will get us promoted, which was the target this season – getting out of this division.
“If we win three of our four games left we’re guaranteed the title. That will be our aim once promotion is confirmed.
“Winning the title would turn this campaign into an incredible one and that’s got to be enough motivation for these boys.
“They know they’ll be in the history books of this club if we get this double over the line.”
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