NEILSTON co-manager John Paul Dow insists the Farmer’s Boys should still be in the Scottish Junior Cup after seeing his side’s late ‘equaliser’ ruled out on Saturday.

Neilston passed up a number of chances in their 2-1 defeat at East Lothian side Haddington Athletic.

But when they did find the net in the second half it was controversially ruled out for offside.

Dow was furious and was ordered from the dug-out for his protests.

The co-boss is adamant his side deserved at least a replay from the tie.

He said: “The performance on Saturday was good on a difficult pitch. We scored a late equaliser as well which the linesman ruled out for offside and it was a really poor decision.

“That would have got us a replay which I thought we deserved.”

Neilston have hit a poor run of form after a flying start to the season under new bosses Dow and Martin Campbell. They won their first three league games but haven’t won in the Central District First Division since, a run which spans five games.

The games don’t get any easier with a trip to table-topping Cambuslang Rangers on Saturday.

Rangers have won nine out of 10 league games this season, but far from being daunted by the task, Dow insists the clash is one his squad should relish.

He added: “We’re in a bit of a rut and maybe need a bit of luck to turn it for us.

“We’re struggling to score goals at the moment and that is killing us. Again on Saturday we missed a lot of chances.

“This is when we need to stick together. Cambuslang are flying just now so that is maybe a good one for us to get.

“We’re looking forward to that game. It’s a great challenge for the boys.”