Tommy Sloan this afternoon paid tribute to new West of Scotland League Premier Division champions Darvel as he admitted Auchinleck Talbot just ran out of gas in the race for the title.
The top-flight bid for supremacy came to an end in East Ayrshire today despite Gareth Armstrong's late winner for 'Bot which sank Glenafton Athletic at Loch Park.
Events just over 20 miles away at Recreation Park sealed Auchinleck's fate as Darvel beat Kilwinning Rangers 3-2 to clinch the crown and earn a shot at promotion to the Lowland League with a game to spare.
And 'Bot boss Sloan reckons patchy form as well as a packed schedule put paid to his team's league trophy chances.
He told Ayrshire Live: "We're obviously disappointed to have lost out in the end. I felt it went away from us when we drew two or three games there on the trot.
"We've handed Darvel the initiative but you have got to give them a lot of credit – they have dug out results when they've had to and we haven't quite managed to do that.
"It was important we didn't throw in the towel and I said to the lads that's what it was all about. It's one of those things. We had it in our own hands but we weren't quite good enough in the end.
"We need to learn from this. We went to Darvel and gave ourselves every chance, put the initiative back with us, but I think the three games a week took its toll on us."
The best chance of a frantic first half fell to Glens as Calvin Kemp's header was well saved by Auchinleck keeper Andy Leishman with Jordan Ryan's follow-up finding the side netting.
Leishman then had his own personal battle with Hugh Kerr, twice denying the Glens striker from headers midway through the second half as the home side pressed for success.
In the 82nd minute, 'Bot should have opened the scoring but the unmarked Keir Samson headed wide from close range.
The visitors would not be thwarted for much longer, though, as Armstrong struck in the 88th minute with a deflected shot which found the back of the net to break Glens hearts.
Sloan added: "This is a derby game and it was never going to be taken lightly by us. I couldn't fault the effort of the players and I thought we got stronger as the game went on. I'm pleased with the victory."
Glenafton are still in a scrap for survival and No 2 Mark Roberts added: "For long periods I thought we were the better team but it's important to take your chances when you are on top. It's disappointing but we've got five games left to save the season."
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