CUMNOCK boss John McKeown is at a loss to explain his sides inability to see out a game.

The Townhead boss was left gutted when his troops surrendered a lead at home as they went down 2-1 to Arthurlie.

Nock edged ahead thanks to a goal from the returning Josh Watt but two second half goals from John Gemmell sunk McKeown's side.

The Nock gaffer said: "I was disappointed at full time. I feel that we are full of hard luck stories just now and I don't like that.

"We go ahead and we are playing well and then we come out in the second half and we just don't turn up.

"We're not being ruthless enough. We're not winning enough games of football. You look at the league table and we have played more games than anyone else but we're not where we want to be. It's frustrating."

The Townhead boss was not happy with the manner in which his side conceded the two goals. He added: "Their two goals are identical. They are a carbon copy. We just give them far too much space to cross the ball and they have punished us for it.

"I don't want to highlight individuals, but we have to do better than that, and that even comes back to myself. We need to cut out those mistakes and I include myself in that."

Nock bagged the opener through the returning Josh Watt.

Watt played an integral part in helping Nock to the First Division title last term before making the move to Queens Park in the summer.

McKeown has managed to snap Watt up on loan until the senior transfer windows opens up on January 1.

McKeown said: "I had kept in touch with Josh whilst he was at Queens Park as well as Aiden Malone.

"Josh missed a few games for them when he was on holiday and then his work interfered with the days he could train. He spent quite a bit of this season kicking his heels on the bench so he was looking to go out and get games somewhere. We're delighted that he has chosen to come back. He had other offers on the table but being here last year he knew what he was getting.

"He'll do well for us. You can see he made a bit of a difference on Saturday. He took his goal really well and he was the man of the match."

McKeown now prepares his troops for a trip to Largs Thistle.

The North Ayrshire have struggled badly this term but have picked up back-to-back wins over Arthurlie and Troon since they appointed Stuart Davidson as their new boss.

McKeown added: "We need three point on Saturday but it will be tough.

"Largs have had a tough time of it but Stuart Davidson has come in there and given them a wee lift and gotten a couple of good results.

"We beat Largs 4-0 earlier in the season, but out players can't be thinking about that now. We just have to cut out the mistakes and be ruthless in front of goal and try to get a result against them."

McKeown takes his side to Barrfields for Saturday's game against Largs with a 1.45pm kick off.