East Kilbride boss Chris Aitken blasted his side for ‘letting everyone down’ after a shock draw at home to bottom of the table Vale of Leithen on Saturday.
Kilby came into the clash off the back of a valiant Scottish Cup fourth round clash with League One Peterhead, in which they bowed out on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
But the drive and desire they showed at Balmoor was sorely lacking as they failed to break down a side who had picked up just four points all season.
And angry Aitken said: “We came off a very good performance against a League One team last week, where we went toe-to-toe with them and the big challenge was to go out and win.
“But the players let themselves down, they let the club down and they let the fans down.
“They can have all the plaudits they want for the Peterhead game but this is when you see the character in the dressing room. How will they respond after this result?
“They need to take this on the chin. We had players out injured, but that’s not an excuse. The team should still have had enough to take three points.
“They know it’s not acceptable at this club and if I need to move players on I will.
“I’m not going to sit and make excuses. There is none whatsoever for that result. I take responsibility and the players need to take responsibility as well and put it to bed this weekend.”
Fifth-place Kilby are now 16 points adrift of runaway leaders Bonnyrigg Rose, with Rangers and Celtic B teams both above them, level in third spot on 55 points, while Spartans sit second.
Aitken added: “We couldn’t break Vale of Leithen down. They had spells with nine and 10 players behind the ball, but that’s not an excuse.
“We should still have enough in our locker and we need to be more ruthless in the final third.
“I’ve watched the game back, for my sins, and I counted 30 good chances and if you can’t convert at least one, that’s not good enough.
“That’s very disappointing. Our keeper didn’t have a save to make, taking one chance is all it would have taken to win that game.”
EK’s focus now turns to the last 16 of the South Challenge Cup on Saturday, when they travel to Cumbernauld Colts. Kick-off is 3pm at Broadwood.
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