<text> KILMARNOCK manager Gary Locke has conceded that a place among the elite is going to be hard to achieve after losing their last two matches, the latest at home to Motherwell on Saturday.

He said: “Reaching the top six is going to be really difficult now. But we have got to make sure that we bounce back from this, with another tough game against Aberdeen here on Sunday.

“I am hopeful that I will have a couple of experienced lads back. I had Sammy (Clingan) and Rory (McKenzie) on the bench today - they have been out a few weeks and have just returned to training, so it was difficult to throw them back in.

“But they will have another week’s training behind them and they will be available for selection again next week.

“Until it is mathematically impossible, we have to continue to target a top-six finish, but we have to make sure we get back to winning ways as quickly as we can.” Killie had started strongly, in what was an entertaining match, and took a 16th minute lead when 17-year-old David Syme caused chaos in the penalty box after Paul Cairney had floated in a free kick.

His massive presence paid off as an under-pressure ‘Well defender deflected the ball into his own net, but Syme has been credited with the goal.

But the lead only lasted 20 minutes as Stephen Pearson equalised, with the Fir Park side going in front midway through the second half.

Gaffer Locke made a double substitution within minutes of Lee Erwin’s goal, Alexei Eremenko replacing Chris Johnston and Greg Kiltie coming on for Cairney.

Motherwell were in almost total control though, and if another goal was coming it was more likely to be for them.

Locke said after the game: “I was disappointed in the outcome as I felt we started really well, deservedly went in front, but you have to give Motherwell credit for coming back well in the second half.

“David Syme made his debut and acquitted himself really well and, looking at the positives, we had a lot of youngsters out there.

“But it meant we were lacking a wee bit of experience and that showed in the second half, although David is very confident and has been doing really well with the under-20s.” Birmingham-born Tope Obadeyi competed well throughout, and was involved in many of Killie’s attacking moves, linking well with Johnston on several occasions.

He said: “We were on top for the first half but Motherwell came out in the second half full of confidence after their goal.

“Realistically the top-six has gone, but we do not want to keep losing matches and get dragged into the relegation battle.

“But I can see Motherwell staying up. They showed a lot of character to get back into the game and shown great quality to get the win.” </text> <text> KILMARNOCK manager Gary Locke has conceded that a place among the elite is going to be hard to achieve after losing their last two matches, the latest at home to Motherwell on Saturday.

He said: “Reaching the top six is going to be really difficult now. But we have got to make sure that we bounce back from this, with another tough game against Aberdeen here on Sunday.

“I am hopeful that I will have a couple of experienced lads back. I had Sammy (Clingan) and Rory (McKenzie) on the bench today - they have been out a few weeks and have just returned to training, so it was difficult to throw them back in.

“But they will have another week’s training behind them and they will be available for selection again next week.

“Until it is mathematically impossible, we have to continue to target a top-six finish, but we have to make sure we get back to winning ways as quickly as we can.” Killie had started strongly, in what was an entertaining match, and took a 16th minute lead when 17-year-old David Syme caused chaos in the penalty box after Paul Cairney had floated in a free kick.

His massive presence paid off as an under-pressure ‘Well defender deflected the ball into his own net, but Syme has been credited with the goal.

But the lead only lasted 20 minutes as Stephen Pearson equalised, with the Fir Park side going in front midway through the second half.

Gaffer Locke made a double substitution within minutes of Lee Erwin’s goal, Alexei Eremenko replacing Chris Johnston and Greg Kiltie coming on for Cairney.

Motherwell were in almost total control though, and if another goal was coming it was more likely to be for them.

Locke said after the game: “I was disappointed in the outcome as I felt we started really well, deservedly went in front, but you have to give Motherwell credit for coming back well in the second half.

“David Syme made his debut and acquitted himself really well and, looking at the positives, we had a lot of youngsters out there.

“But it meant we were lacking a wee bit of experience and that showed in the second half, although David is very confident and has been doing really well with the under-20s.” Birmingham-born Tope Obadeyi competed well throughout, and was involved in many of Killie’s attacking moves, linking well with Johnston on several occasions.

He said: “We were on top for the first half but Motherwell came out in the second half full of confidence after their goal.

“Realistically the top-six has gone, but we do not want to keep losing matches and get dragged into the relegation battle.

“But I can see Motherwell staying up. They showed a lot of character to get back into the game and shown great quality to get the win.” </text>