Gartcairn relegation confirmed, despite emphatic win over Troon
The Airdrie club couldn't avoid the drop despite clocking up a 4-1 win
Gartcairn co-boss Ryan McStay admits his side put in their best performance of his tenure so far to down high-flying Troon – but it wasn't enough to prevent them being relegated from the West of Scotland Premier Division.
In a season that included a 15-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player, the Airdrie outfit knew they had to win to keep their slim survival hopes alive.
Although they did their part with a 4-1 win, a 3-2 victory for near rivals Shotts over Benburb ensured their relegation to the First Division.
Gartcairn - who only have one game remaining, against Shotts this Saturday - claimed all three points thanks to a Dale Simeon double and strikes from Adam McGowan and Jordan Moore.
And McStay said: 'It was probably the best performance we've had so far. The disappointment was conceding the goal, but if we had scored six or seven goals it wouldn't have flattered us.
'But, sadly, it wasn't enough.
'It has been hard for us, taking over with six games left.
'Saturday was the first time we've had a full squad. We had 17 fit players out of 18, whereas the last two games we've only had two under-20s on the bench.
'We were able to bring on the likes of Andy Stirling and Jordan Moore, who came on and scored a good goal.
'We have been unlucky in the depth of the squad. I feel as if we had that squad today over the last three games, we would still be in with a shot of staying up.
'But we kind of knew relegation would be the outcome. We were the favourites to go down when we took over because the teams around us had so many games in hand, but it is at least done and dusted now.'
McStay and co-boss Darren Barr are determined to come straight back up next season, but know it won't be easy.
McStay added: 'I was the a player/assistant manager in the First Division during my time at St Roch's so I know the league well. It is going to be a very tough league to get out of.
'Our ambition is to go and win the league next season.
'We are meeting a few players this week and see what we can do to bring in the right blend of players to kick the club on.'
Attention now turns to Saturday's final game of the campaign and McStay hopes the side can produce another big performance to take into pre-season.
'This week we could maybe give a few of the younger players a go,' McStay admitted. But I think I will give most of the team from the Troon game to try and go out on a high.'
Saturday's clash at Hannah Park is a 2pm kick-off.
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