A DISAPPOINTING first-half performance saw Neilston lose their latest league match against Wishaw at Beltane Park.

Three down at the interval, the Farmer’s Boys improved in the second-half and were unlucky not to take a point for their efforts.

Manager Andy Whiteford had players missing due to injuries and holidays, and made two changes with Cammy Sinclair and Robbie Cameron coming in at the expense of James Digney and Paul Young.

Neilston made a poor start to the game, conceding a goal in the opening minute when a long ball caught out the defence and Michael Collinder ran through to lob the advancing Sinclair.

The home side doubled their lead in the sixth minute when Paul Woodlock scored the rebound after Sinclair saved well from Ross McGeachie’s long-range dipping effort.

At the other end Neilston’s Kevin Kelly tried his luck but his shot went wide. Sinclair then saved well at his near post as Collinder looked to double his tally.

Neilston tried to pull a goal back but Daniel McKay saw his effort blocked and Cameron then saw his shot blocked.

The home side made it 3-0 in the 30th minute when Collinder cut in to square to McGeachie to drill home.

Neilston pressed forward to get a goal back but it was Wishaw who looked more likely to extend their lead.

Half-time: Wishaw 3-0 Neilston The visitors pulled a goal back five minutes into the second half when McKay was upended in the penalty box and the referee pointed to the spot.

CAMERON cooly slotted home the spot kick for his sixth of the season.

Whiteford elected to make two changes inside five minutes, with Cameron and Stephen Docherty going off for Stevie Hopewell and Mark McCuish.

Neilston pulled another goal back in the 75th minute when McCuish found Matt Stevenson on the right. He passed two players only to see his shot parried by Thomson and Barry TULLOCH rolled home the rebound into the empty net.

They nearly equalised minutes later with a good link-up between McKay and Stevenson, but McCuish’s effort couldn’t beat the keeper.

Wishaw hit the post in the dying minutes with Grant’s curling set-piece cannoning off of the post.

Neilston: Sinclair, Murphy, O’Brien, Diack, McInnes, Docherty (McCuish), Tulloch, Stevenson, Cameron (Hopewell), D. McKay, Kelly (Graham).

Subs not used: McArthur and Lennox.