Ardeer boss Sean Kenney reckons his side’s display in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at St Anthony’s can be the blueprint to survival.
First half goals from Martin Mullaney and Ciaran McAneny gave the Ants a deserved three points in the West of Scotland League Second Division clash at McKenna Park.
The result leaves Ardeer hovering precariously above the the three-team drop zone but Kenney felt his players didn't do much wrong on the day and insists the performance gives him hope going forward.
He told the club's social media: "I thought we played really well. There’s been games I’ve been really critical of the boys. The last one we played against Glasgow University was one of them.
“But I thought we created chances. The problem is we lost two soft goals and that was disappointing.
“I’m never happy being beat but there’s plenty of positives. We know we’re in a battle. We know we’re going to be grafting all season.
“We need to be a wee bit better and smarter in both boxes but if we play like that every week we will be alright."
Ardeer were denied a 12th minute opener when Ants keeper Bailey McGuire produced a fantastic flying one-handed stop to prevent defender Graeme Crawford heading into his own net.
But they fell behind eight minutes later when Mullaney rose highest to steer a header of his own past Ardeer number one John Lynn.
The Ants doubled their lead a minute before the break, McAneny slamming home from close range after Ardeer failed to deal with back-to-back crosses into their penalty box.
Njabulo Ndlovu was unfortunate not to make it 3-0 early in the second half with a header that was blocked on the line.
Ardeer gave a better account of themselves but really only troubled McGuire once more, the keeper pulling off a reflex save with his legs to deny Robert Frew in the closing stages.
The Stevenston outfit host Kilsyth Rangers this weekend as they look to end a run of four straight league defeats.
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