Boss rues inconsistency as College teach Thistle a lesson

Bathgate Thistle manager Stewart Devine admitted his side were simply not good enough as they slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to Edinburgh College, writes Kieran Polland.

Thistle started brightly and were rewarded by taking the lead on 20 minutes after Ally McInnes’low shot beat Ciaran Cairns at his near post, only for College to equalise when Kris Gaff capitalised on poor defending to volley home shortly after.

There was some consternation from the home fans after College’s Lewis Alexander was only brandished a yellow card after a shocking challenge on Kenny Knox before the visitors took the lead after the break through Mark McGovern with the defeat leaving Jags bottom of the Conference X table.

Devine acknowledged that the performance was a complete 180 from last week’s cup clash at Lowland League side Gala Fairydean Rovers.

He said:“We just weren’t good enough. I’ll support the boys through thick and thin, and they’ve been great since we returned in December.

“We more than matched Gala last week and fair enough we came away with a 2-0 defeat, but we’re not expected to go there and do anything.

“We got on the ball, played football, worked our socks off and I could not fault the boys. It was just chalk and cheese. We just didn’t want it enough and couldn’t create any chances.”

On the potential red card incident, he added:“The referee said it was a straight leg and studs so I’m not sure why it’s a yellow. I’m not sure how much of an effect it would’ve had on the game. We never created enough and weren’t ruthless enough.”