Mitch Megginson thinks it sums up Cove Rangers’ performance at K Park that they left disappointed with a 2-1 win.
It’s advantage to the Highland League champions ahead of Saturday’s SPFL play-off semi-final second leg against East Kilbride.
Cove were comfortable against the Lowland League title winners and could’ve have scored four or five at a ground where Kilby only lost once in the league all season.
After going ahead via headers from defenders Harry Milne and Scott Ross in the first half, a late strike from home substitute Jamie Longworth kept the tie alive.
Megginson said: “We defended so well and they didn’t have much chances at all.
“But if you switch off for a second against a team like East Kilbride, they’ve got good players and will punish you.
“It was a blow at the end, but it sums up the day to say we’re disappointed only taking a 2-1 lead away from K Park.
“It’s a reminder they’re still in the tie and there’s 90 minutes to go.”
Cove go into the game at the Balmoral Stadium as favourites to progress to the final, where they would play Berwick Rangers over two legs for the chance to step up into the Scottish leagues next term.
They’ve been in that position before, suffering an agonising 3-2 defeat at Cowdenbeath’s Central Park last summer, when they had led the tie 2-1 going into the last 45 minutes.
Megginson thinks the lesson in the Blue Brazil loss, underlined by Kilby’s late goal, is Cove can’t afford to switch off for a second.
He said: “We switched off in the last 45 minutes against Cowdenbeath and look what happened there, albeit there were a few decisions (which went against us).
“You need to be concentrating the whole game and we’ll prepare this week and be ready for it.”
A performance like Saturday’s would likely see Cove through. Striker Megginson, with 46 goals this term, produced a workman–like display at K Park and is happy to do the same again.
He says the message from co-manager Graeme Mathieson – John Sheran is recovering from a heart attack – was to be at it right from the off and play with confidence.
When Milne headed Cove in front after three minutes, these demands were certainly met.
Megginson said: “It’s that ambition to get to League Two.
“We’ve worked so hard all season to get to this stage and we have experience now to know you can’t start slack or you’ll get punished.
“It was good to get the first goal, especially from a set-piece.”
The striker added: “Before these games you never know how it’s going to pan out.
“You can watch them all you want.
“But we’ve went down and beat teams in League One and League Two.
“Without being arrogant, you’ve got to be confident in your ability that you can win every game.
“We go into every game thinking we can.”
Help support quality local journalism … become a digital subscriber to the Evening Express
For as little as £5.99 a month you can access all of our content, including Premium articles.
Subscribe