Stirling Albion manager Steven Whittaker challenged his side to show more hunger in killing off matches after they squandered their perfect KDM Evolution Trophy start in the first of a cup double-header.
The Binos had come into the midweek clash as heavy favourites to keep up the momentum of three wins in a row in the competition, including victories over League One sides in Cove Rangers and Airdrieonians.
But Lowland League West side Cumbernauld Colts snatched a late leveller through Thomas Horn to cancel out Sam Denham’s first-half header.
Strong position for qualification
It still leaves Stirling in a very strong position for qualification, with any result over the last two matches - beginning with tomorrow’s trip to Fraserburgh - likely to be enough to formally get over the line.
But Whittaker was left asking for more from his side after they squandered the chance for some momentum and a first clean sheet in all competitions since the opening day of the League Two season.
Whittaker said: “I just mentioned to the players there, we have to be better at controlling matches when we get in front because there wasn’t enough appetite to get on the ball and keep the momentum of the game after we scored.
“We just kept giving it back and turning over possession, there weren’t enough clear passing options, so it’s disappointing that the game was there for us and we didn’t capitalise.
“If you give any team time and space to find passes, then that’s what happens at the end, they moved and rotated around us. It’s also a second goal from a wide free-kick, so we need to get better at defending those situations.”
Experimentation and selection
The competition has been used by most managers as an opportunity to rotate players for freshness and test out new systems for league matches, with Stirling taking the chance for some experimentation.
However, Whittaker warned his players that there would be no let-up on his end as his side make the trip to Bellslea Park for only a second-ever match between the sides - and a first since 1959.
“We tried a few things, we played with wingers and a back four initially and then moved to a back five just to see how it went, but there needs to be a lot of hard work within the structure to get pressure on the ball so there’s work to be done on that,” he said.
“A few came in tonight, just with guys picking up a few niggles and so on. I don’t care what the match or competition is; it’s a competitive game in my eyes and if I was a player, I’d want to play.
“The players who are fit and ready will be up for selection and it will be a case of picking a team best suited to winning the match.”
Hepburn injury concern
One of those unlikely to feature in the north-east is Barry Hepburn, who limped off after just 12 minutes of his return off the bench against Cumbernauld.
“Barry has been working hard in the background and it ticked a lot of boxes to get some minutes today, but I don’t know exactly what’s happened. He was limping coming off, so it doesn’t feel like a little setback for him,” Whittaker said.
