JOHN-Paul Dow and Martin Campbell bid farewell to Neilston at the weekend as the management team took charge of the side for the final time. 

And despite the 4-0 loss to Craigmark Burntonians in the West of Scotland Cup and their recent form, Dow insists the last few results haven’t put a dark cloud over their nearly three seasons at the club.

But it wasn’t the fairytale ending for Dow and Campbell as Neilston finished the match with nine men after Paul Young and Paul Stewart were ordered off in the first-half.

READ MORE: Duncan Sinclair’s side return to winning ways with Craigmark victory

The visitors started well and were only denied an early opener by a fine Marc Wilson stop.

Neilston carved out a couple of chances of their own after that with both Allan Diack and Stewart going close before Euan Clark’s powerful header rattled back off the bar.

The Farmer’s Boys were denied a stonewall penalty when Craig Patterson was hauled down but the referee waved it away and things went from bad to worse when Young was shown a straight red moments later after a melee in the box.

And the hosts were dealt another blow when Stewart was also sent packing after a late challenge. 

Craigmark took advantage of the extra men and opened the scoring before the break when Marc Dyer finished coolly.

And the two-man advantage was telling after the break as the Ayrshire side doubled their lead with the simplest of efforts tumbling into an empty net.

Campbell’s frustration at the officials boiled over with the gaffer sent to the pavilion after exchanging words with the referee.

And two became three moments later when Scott Dempster drilled it into the bottom corner to further add to the frustrations.

Nine-man Neilston battled well but Craigmark added another to ensure Dow and Campbell’s last match ended in bitter defeat.

While Dow’s departure had been known for some time as he leaves due to work commitments, Campbell’s came as more of a shock as he announced last week that Saturday was going to be his final game. 

Results haven’t been favourable recently, but Dow expected patches like this would come along and admits it’s going to be strange not being involved in the game. 

READ MORE: Martin Cambell and John Paul Dow to leave Neilston roles

He said: “We knew we’d have periods like this after our promotion but when we first came in if somebody had told me we were going to be where we are now, I’d have taken it instantly. 

“For the first time in my adult life, since I was about 10, I won’t be involved in a team sport. It’s all I’ve ever known. 

“It was emotional on Saturday and I was thinking about it on Sunday - it’ll not go away. 

“I’m definitely going to look out for the results. I’ll absolutely be supporting the boys.”

The supporters bus will leave Brig O’ Lea at 11am on Saturday for Neilston’s trip to Kello Rovers.