St Peter’s boss Paul McTaggart admits he’s sick of the sight of a 3-2 defeat.
The Glenburn-based side have lost their last three Division 4 games by the same narrow scoreline, leaving the side with a bitter taste in the mouth come full-time.
But the confident manager insists it’s not time to panic given how close the Paisley club’s last three results have been.
After a sickening last-minute defeat away to Harthill Royal last Wednesday, St Peter’s welcomed Harmony Row to New Western Park hoping to get back to winning ways.
Despite fine strikes from Macaulay McArthur and Ross Gemmell, the Paisley hosts found themselves on the losing side for the third game on the bounce.
McTaggart told Express Sport: “We were absolutely devastated after the defeat to Harthill, which was sealed with the last kick of the ball.
“The game against Harmony Row was really tight as well. It was a free-flowing game and if the result had been a draw I don’t think either side could have grumbled.
“I know ultimately you’re judged as a team and a manager on results, but we can see the improvements we’re making every game.
“The margins are so small and it’s just minor stuff that’s needing tweaked.
“There’s no down-heartedness in the camp at all. We know we’ve got work to do but we also know we’re not a million miles away from turning the corner.
“This is just a wee slump and we’re determined to come out the other side sooner rather than later.”
St Peter’s found themselves down to ten men against Harmony Row when triallist Lee Cochrane was sent off after reacting badly to a horrendous challenge that also saw the offending player receive his marching orders.
McTaggart revealed he won’t hold the reaction against Cochrane, given the severity of the tackle.
He said: “It was a really nasty challenge, one that could have been a leg-breaker.
“He’s reacted to it and the ref didn’t have much choice but to send them both off.
“I can understand the reaction though, having been a player myself. When someone goes out to deliberately hurt you it’s very hard not to react at all.
“Harmony Row aren’t usually a dirty team at all though, so I’m sure it was just a moment of red mist for the boy.”
With midweek fixtures now a thing of the past for Division 4 teams after a hectic opening few months, McTaggart is looking forward to getting more time on the training pitch with his side.
He added: “We’re glad the Wednesday night fixtures are finished with now because it’s been a very busy opening schedule.
“The games came thick and fast and we’ve been missing up to ten players in some games so far, with boys injured and some away on holiday.
“Playing just on Saturday gives us more time to work with the boys on the training pitch through the week, which we’ve not had as much opportunity to do over the last few months.
“When you’ve lost a game, it’s good to be able to work on what’s gone wrong and recently we’ve not been able to do that as well as we’d like.
“It gives a bigger gap for injured players to recover as well, so it’s a better situation all-round.”
Next up for St Peter’s is a home clash against bottom of the table side BSC Glasgow at New Western Park on Saturday. Kick off is at 2pm with home fans now welcome back inside the ground.
