NEILSTON co-boss Derek Carson watched his players ease their way into the second round of the Strathclyde Demolition Cup on Saturday – and then urged them to be more clinical in front of goal.

The Farmer’s Boys missed a number of first-half chances against Port Glasgow before scoring three in the second period.

Conor Bolger got the opener just a few minutes after the break and then made it 2-0 with a free-kick 15 minutes later.

Dylan Fletcher completed the scoring as the match drew to a close but Carson has warned his troops that, on another occasion, missed opportunities could come back to haunt them.

He told Barrhead Sport: “We huffed and puffed in the first half but created four really good chances that we should be putting away, which has been our problem for the last few weeks.

“We had a couple of words at half-time and asked the boys to move the ball a wee bit quicker because the pitch is very big down there.

“We got the early goal and then another two after that, so it ended up being a comfortable afternoon, but I said to the boys that we need to start taking our chances.

“We’ve been winning by the odd goal here and there in games that should be more comfortable.

“We spoke to our strikers and none of them have actually made the position their own. They are getting the odd goal and then maybe going a couple of weeks without scoring.

“Somebody needs to go and grab that number nine position.”

Dominic Reilly stepped up from the club’s development squad to make his debut for the senior team on Saturday after injury woes left Neilston short of numbers.

His efforts have impressed Carson and co-boss Chris Cameron.

“The development team play on Friday nights, so myself and Chris have been up to watch them,” said Carson. “They’re a really good bunch of boys and some of them will step up.

“We were struggling in the right-back position, with Robbie Halliday and Daryl Convery injured, so instead of shuffling the pack, we knew we could trust young Dom.

“For me, he was man of the match. It was the first time he’d been in with our group but his first half performance especially was really good.”

Neilston return to league action this Saturday, when Petershill visit Brig O’Lea, with kick-off at 2pm.