Neilston co-manager Chris Cameron admitted he was ‘embarrassed’ by his side’s first-half performance after they were held to a 2-2 draw against Kello Rovers.

With last week’s match against St Roch’s postponed, the Farmer’s Boys were looking to follow up their 4-3 win over Girvan earlier this month with another three crucial points.

But things didn’t quite go to plan as they found themselves struggling to cope in a dire first 45, with Rovers looking comfortable as they went in 2-0 up at the break.

John Middleton handed Cameron’s side a lifeline with 10 minutes on the clock before Paul Stewart spared their blushes against a side who have lost 17 matches from 20 this season.

Things could have been worse if it wasn’t for the two late efforts but Cameron insists a point was the very least himself and co-manager Derek Carson expected after a scathing half-time dressing down.

Barrhead News: Cameron insists his side must improve if they are to pick anything up this weekend against DarvelCameron insists his side must improve if they are to pick anything up this weekend against Darvel

He said: “That was a really disappointing and frustrating afternoon to be honest. With all due respect to Kello, it’s a game we should be taking three points from and nothing less. It’s definitely points dropped for us.”

Cameron admitted his frustration got the better of him as he let fly at half-time.

He continued: “Our boys didn’t turn up for the first 45 minutes at all so we didn’t hold back at half-time in letting them know that that’s not the standard myself and Derek are looking for. We’ve never had a performance like that since we’ve been here so it was slightly embarrassing. 

“There was a few strong words and a few home truths at the break, and to be fair to the boys they did show a bit of dig to get back in it. We should have then gone on to win it comfortably to be honest but we were quite wasteful in front of goal.”

READ MORE:Neilston leave it late against Girvan

Neilston will look to regroup and get back to winning ways this weekend as they welcome Darvel Juniors to Brig O’Lea Stadium.

The sides met at Recreation Park back in September with the Vale running out 1-0 winners.

Cameron and Carson weren’t in the dugout on that occasion and while he isn’t taking the Ayrshire side lightly, Cameron is confident of reversing that result.

He added: “I’ve seen Darvel a couple of times this season and they’re a decent side. I know they beat Neilston before we got here so it’ll be tough. I think it’ll be quite similar to Kello, if we don’t turn up again then it will be a long afternoon.

“If we play the way we did in the second-half against Kello then I’m confident.

“Looking at the Kello match again, I didn’t think we had that kind of performance in us. I’m hoping it was a one off and we can hit the ground running again on Saturday against Darvel.”

Kick-off at Brig O’Lea is 1.45pm.