BOTH managers agreed that Cumnock deserved to take something from last Saturday’s local derby.

While Glens gaffer Craig McEwan was pleased with his 1-0 win, his opposite number John McKeown was less than happy.

Victorious boss McEwan said: “Certainly it was job done in terms of the three points and a clean sheet, which I am delighted with.

“But if I am being brutally honest we did not perform at all. The result was very harsh on Cumnock who dominated 80 per cent of the play without really hurting us.

“They have a presence up front and are a very good side. They did not deserve to lose but you need luck to go on a good run.

“That is six games on the bounce, all competitive matches, that we have won — with four clean sheets as well and I am really happy with that.”

Other results went in Glens’ favour on Saturday and they are now in a position that, were they to play their game in hand and win, they would go top.

But there is no talk of league titles at Loch Park, especially from McEwan, who added: “It is way too early be talking about winning leagues.

“What we have done is given ourselves a platform to kick on in the second half of the season but today we have reached that significant figure of 26 points which makes us safe.

“With Rob Roy drawing and Talbot losing, it has been a good day for us but it’s only good if we go, play against Hurlford, and get the points in our next game.

“Granted I would take a win like today every week — it might give me a heart attack — but I would still take the win.”

The viewpoint from the opposition camp could not have been more different with Cumnock manager McKeown admitting to being ‘bitterly disappointed’.

He said: “It was an uncharacteristic mistake from Paul Burns — who has been brilliant for us — but he was man enough to hold his hands up and get on with it.

“It seems to be that every time we make a mistake we are punished while we take six or seven chances before we can score — it is killing us.

“In our last game, away to Rob Roy, I felt we were unlucky not to take something. Similarly against Hurlford and Arthurlie where we had chances and opportunities.

“We have conceded penalty kicks in our last two matches, against Pollok and Rob Roy, then the mistake against Glens. It is not as if teams are playing us off the park.

“It was one way traffic today (Saturday) in the second half and we threw everything but the kitchen sink at them, but McChesney and McGarrity were tremendous for them.

“We came into the match in the last 10 minutes of the first half and dominated in the second but we need to learn from this and become more ruthless.”

Because of the number of matches they have played, and with only six league encounters remaining, McKeown accepts their mid-table position is irrelevant.

“We are in a dogfight. We know we are and that we have to start getting points on the board. Okay saying we played well — but Glenafton have got the three points.

“We need to roll our sleeves up and prepare for some big games coming up. Our league position is false and we are running out of games.

“A minimum of six points is needed. All we can do is regroup and get ready for the fight,” he added.