Tommy Sloan this afternoon paid tribute to new West of Scotland League Premier Division champions Darvel as he admitted Auchinleck Talbot simply ran out of fuel within the race for the title.
The highest-flight bid for supremacy got here to an finish in East Ayrshire immediately regardless of Gareth Armstrong's late winner for 'Bot which sank Glenafton Athletic at Loch Park.
Occasions simply over 20 miles away at Recreation Park sealed Auchinleck's destiny as Darvel beat Kilwinning Rangers 3-2 to clinch the crown and earn a shot at promotion to the Lowland League with a recreation to spare.
And 'Bot boss Sloan reckons patchy kind in addition to a packed schedule put paid to his staff's league trophy possibilities.
He instructed Ayrshire Dwell: "We're clearly dissatisfied to have misplaced out in the long run. I felt it went away from us after we drew two or three video games there on the trot.
"We have handed Darvel the initiative however you've got to present them loads of credit score – they've dug out outcomes after they've needed to and we have not fairly managed to do this.
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"It was essential we did not throw within the towel and I stated to the lads that is what it was all about. It is a kind of issues. We had it in our personal fingers however we weren't fairly ok in the long run.
"We have to study from this. We went to Darvel and gave ourselves each likelihood, put the initiative again with us, however I believe the three video games every week took its toll on us."
One of the best likelihood of a frantic first half fell to Glens as Calvin Kemp's header was effectively saved by Auchinleck keeper Andy Leishman with Jordan Ryan's follow-up discovering the facet netting.
Leishman then had his personal private battle with Hugh Kerr, twice denying the Glens striker from headers halfway by way of the second half as the house facet pressed for fulfillment.
Within the 82nd minute, 'Bot ought to have opened the scoring however the unmarked Keir Samson headed extensive from shut vary.
The guests wouldn't be thwarted for for much longer, although, as Armstrong struck within the 88th minute with a deflected shot which discovered the again of the online to interrupt Glens hearts.
Sloan added: "It is a derby recreation and it was by no means going to be taken evenly by us. I could not fault the hassle of the gamers and I believed we received stronger as the sport went on. I am happy with the victory."
Glenafton are nonetheless in a scrap for survival and No 2 Mark Roberts added: "For lengthy intervals I believed we had been the higher staff nevertheless it's essential to take your possibilities when you find yourself on prime. It is disappointing however we have got 5 video games left to save lots of the season."
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