Eglinton FC manager William Shearer felt the occasion got to his players as their West of Scotland League debut ended in defeat.
The Jousters got off to the worst possible start at Kintyre Park, falling behind to a Scott Souden strike inside the opening 90 seconds.
Stuart Crossan ignored cries of offside to double Campbeltown's lead before half-time and Eglinton's fate was sealed when substitute Rhys Casci netted a third with three minutes left to play.
A late Sean Davis penalty was a mere consolation for the visitors and Shearer insisted his side simply hadn't done themselves justice on day one of their Division Four campaign - and life in the senior ranks after stepping up from amateur football.
He said: "It wasn't a great performance from us. I think the occasion got to us a wee bit. At the end of the day we didn't play like I know we can.
"We knew it was going to be tough. It's a step up for us but the boys are disappointed because they know they can do much better. To be honest, I think we were at about 50, 60 per cent out there.
"We got caught early on and, in the first half in particular, we were taking far too many touches. It's was frantic and we were a bit disjointed.
"I thought their boy was three yards offside for the second goal but decisions are going to go against you sometimes - that's football.
"Second half was better but I know there's still so much more to come from the boys.
"We were missing our captain Jack Kennedy, Finlay Greer and William Watson and six of the starting 11 were new players."
Losing an early goal was the last thing Eglinton needed after making a mammoth four-hour 148-mile trip from Kilwinning for the clash.
And it was a gift for Campbeltown frontman Souden who was afforded all the time and space in the world to slot past goalkeeper Samuel Wynn from close range.
The setback visibly spooked Eglinton and they struggled to get a foothold in the game for the first half hour.
Liam Davis registered their first real effort on goal in 34 minutes, his snap shot from the edge of the box narrowly clearing the crossbar.
But the wind was quickly taken out their sails in 38 minutes when Crossan finished off a Campbeltown counter attack to make it 2-0.
Eglinton gave a better account of themselves in the second half but still struggled to create many clear cut chances.
Dylan McLintock cleared the bar with a fierce drive from 20 yards on the hour mark, but that aside there was little to worry Campbeltown keeper Alistair Ferguson.
The visitors stayed in the game right up until the 87th minute but Casci's fine finish from the edge of the penalty area was the final nail in the coffin.
Davis provided some late cheer for the Jousters when he sent Ferguson the wrong way from the spot to notch Eglinton's first senior goal.
But it was too little too late and moments later referee Barry Feery blew for full-time.
Eglinton will hope to bounce back this Saturday when they host Thorn Athletic, who lost 1-0 at home to St Peter's in their curtain raiser.
Boss Shearer added: "It's our first home game so it's a different kind of pressure. We need to cope with that.
"It's a new experience for the players. When we first came into the amatuers, we spent the first half of the season trying to learn the league and the teams in it, so I imagine this year will be similar."
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