by Stewart McConnell and Frank Cassidy

WORRIED Kilbirnie Ladeside boss Budgie McGhie is warning his side to toughen up in defence after they slumped to another defeat.

Blasties went down 3-0 at home to Glenafton Athletic, leaving them in 11th spot in the 16-team Premiership.

McGhie said: "Two players suffered knocks - one in the warm-up and the other a minute into the game, which obviously did not help.

But that does not excuse the first goal we lost. It is a bread-and-butter clearance but we ended up not dealing with it and the ball comes in and hits Reon's (Juskowiak) hand. If you make mistakes like that you will get punished.

"In the second half we were dominant until the last five minutes. Their second goal was defensively, a poor goal to lose."

He added: "Football-wise we put a lot into the game but there is no point in being a nice football team if you are a soft touch at the back.

"We need to work on this but it won't be easy as one of our more experienced players, Mick O'Byrne, has a bad hand injury. Ryan Hynes, who has scored a few goals, hurt his back in the warm-up and we are waiting to hear how bad that is."

Saturday sees Ladeside playing McBookie Championship leaders Gartcairn away in the Scottish Junior Cup and the boss added: "We have a wee break from the league and will just need to use that to our advantage. It's a tough one."

Ardrossan Winton Rovers manager Stevie Wilson was heartened with his team's showing as they defeated Royal Albert 3-1 away to leave them second in McBookie League One.

Wilson said: "We won without being at our best. I said at half-time we could do better and we improved."

Winton make a marathon trip north to face Bridge of Don Thistle in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

Added Wilson: "We're going there to win - it's an important game."