East Kilbride boss Chris Aitken says his side have proven they can match SPFL teams after a heart-breaking Scottish Cup fourth round exit via penalty kicks.
Kilby striker Joao Victoria’s double at Peterhead was cancelled out by efforts from ex-EK star Russell McLean and Andrew McCarthy.
Aitken’s Lowland League squad took their League One hosts all the way, but they could not prevail and miss out on a home tie in the last 16 against Premiership side Dundee after a 5-3 shootout defeat.
Aitken said: “It’s the cruel side of the football.
“In years gone by, it would have been a replay down at our park which would have been good. But it is what is.
“There had to be a winner and a loser and unfortunately we were on the wrong end.
“It was a great performance from us and I said that to them after the game. I was proud of every single one of them in how they performed.
“Even when we got the setback where we looked as if we were going to be 1-0 up at half-time and instead were 2-1 down, we still managed to get in and regroup.
“We said what we needed to say and we got back into the game at 2-2.
“On another day we might have sneaked it but when it comes down to penalties, it is 50-50, which is gutting. That’s the way the cookie crumbles.”
EK have already lost the likes of experienced pair Chris Erskine and Gregg Wylde this month while Blair Malcolm and Ryan Blair have also departed the club.
More players in Aitken’s EK squad are being eyed up by teams higher up the food-chain and the Kilby boss knows some will have had their attentions caught by a valiant effort in Peterhead.
Aitken added: “That’s just the way it is. There’s guys here who have aspirations of performing at the next level and against Peterhead they did perform.
“There was no doubting in my mind there were people watching my guys wondering if they could play – against Peterhead they proved they can play.
“If I do lose them, and go up the way, I am doing my job right. Then it’s up to me to replace them. Those who do get a move up deserve it as they have worked extremely hard.”
EK return to Lowland League action against basement club Vale of Leithen on Saturday.
Aitken hopes to have experienced centre-back Steven Saunders available for the game.
He added: “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We will regroup and get back into training.
“It’s a different challenge this weekend so now the challenge is not to let the standards we set drop. I should hopefully have Steven Saunders back, which is good as the squad is light.”
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