Derek Carson has reassured the Neilston faithful that there is absolutely nothing to worry about after they fell to two Sectional League Cup losses over the weekend.

A depleted Farmer’s Boys struggled to get going at New Tinto Park on Saturday afternoon as West Region Premiership new boys Benburb eased to a one-sided 3-0 win.

With a number of key personnel forced to miss the opening league cup weekend due to work commitments, Neilston welcomed local rivals Arthurlie to the Brig on Monday night.

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Duncan Sinclair’s Lie side opened the scoring early on through a well-worked Josh Payne header.

New arrival Mark Archdeacon was on target just before the break to haul Neilston back level but tired legs allowed Arthurlie to nick it at the death with Scott Nicol tapping home.

But rather than dwell on the two defeats, Carson insists they can’t be too despondent about the results.

Carson said: “We only had 12 players for the two league cup matches. I’m not making any excuses or anything but we’re missing eight boys due to pre-booked holidays and work.

“We relied on a trialist making up the numbers for us at the last minute. I can’t thank our boys and trialists enough for their efforts over the last two matches.

“It’s been unreal to be honest. Some of the passages of play we put together on Saturday were probably some of the best we’ve seen at Neilston for a good number of years.

“We had chances against Arthurlie with clearances off the line and hitting the woodwork before going on to lose a goal in the last minute when the boys were dead on their feet as we had no subs to make.

“Obviously no one likes to get beat, but I’m not too despondent with the results really.

“Losing with the last kick of the ball is disappointing, but myself and Chris can’t praise the boys enough. They’ve run themselves into the ground and given us everything.”

With one more league cup match to get out of the way tonight against Johnstone Burgh, Carson has all but turned his attention to his side’s league campaign now with Whitletts Victoria visiting the Brig this Saturday.

He added: “Once we get our full squad back together, we will definitely not be too far away.

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“We’ll be looking to get a good result tonight of course and then go into Saturday on a high.

“The thing is, though, we’ll be sitting with 12 tonight again but we get four or five of the boys back for Saturday which is ideal.

“Options on the bench will be massive for us so we’re raring to go for Saturday.”

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