YOKER were brought back down to earth with a bump after their cup win at Newton Stewart as Newmains United won 2-0 at Holm Park on Saturday.

The Whe Ho started well, and were unlucky not to take an early lead after just 6 mins when an excellent turn and shot from David Crerand drifted narrowly past the Newmains keepers right hand post.

In the 19th minute a brilliant run and cross from Yoker striker Scott Gallagher was headed over by Greg Cree as the home side pressed, and two minutes later a shot from Scott Gallagher looked bound for the top corner but was tipped over the crossbar by the Newmains keeper – though both sides looked slightly bemused when the referee awarded a goal kick.

Yoker were on top at this point and in 31 minutes a good cross from the right by Greg Cree rattled the post after a good header from the on form Kyle Maxwell, leaving the hosts wondering if they might come to rue their missed chances.

And sure enough, 10 minutes before the break a bad clearance fell to the feet of Newmains midfielder Lee Nichol, who spotted Calum Dillon off his line and chipped the ball over the back-pedalling Yoker keeper and into the net to leave the hosts trailing at the break.

Yoker kicked off the second half on the hunt for an early equaliser, but struggled to get through a resolute Newmains defence.

A couple of chances came and went before, in the 66th minute, a cross from the left saw the ball blocked by the knee of Cameron Ferrier and ricochet up off his hand. The referee pointed to the penalty spot for what looked a soft decision, but Newmains captain Mark Howson wasn't complaining and slotted it past the outstretched hand of the diving Calum Dillon in the Yoker goal.

Yoker were by no means out of the game, but more slack finishing and some good blocks from the Newmains defence meant it was looking like one of these days.

A couple of late bookings borne out of frustration added to the woes of the Yoker management, and it was disappointment all round when the final whistle blew.

Speaking to the Yoker media team after the game, co-manager Peter McKenna said: “We are bitterly disappointed in the result as the game was there to be won.

"However, we weren’t clinical in front of goal today and that’s what cost us in the end.

"There wasn’t much between the teams but if you don’t take these chances you're not going to win matches – we made a mistake in the first half that was punished along with a penalty that was soft, but you have seen them given this year and in fairness Newmains were well organised and defended their lead.

"We had plenty of chances to win this game today and that’s what is disappointing, but we will come back in at training and work on what went wrong, pick ourselves up and move forward.

"We face a difficult away trip to Kilsyth on Saturday who are flying and unbeaten so far in the league so it will be a hard game. We have a few injuries to contend with and will need to have a look at these boys to see if any are going to be fit for Saturday, but we have a good squad of players here this season and the boys who have come in for the injured players in previous matches have slotted in well.

"We will go into the game on Saturday with confidence – the boys have shown already this season that they can bounce back from a disappointing result and I expect them to do so again.”

Again, supporters will not be allowed to attend Saturday's match at Duncansfield, with fans being asked to remain at home and rely on the club’s media team to supply updates.