East Kilbride boss Mick Kennedy 'devastated' by play-off failure but will stay on for next season

East Kilbride boss Mick Kennedy admits Kilby’s play-off pain has devastated him but says he will stay on next season to lead the team for another promotion push from the Lowland League.

For the third time in seven years, Kilby have come up short in the pyramid play-offs after a late extra-time defeat to Stranraer on Saturday killed the Lowland League champions’ bid for an elusive place in League Two.

Having drawn the first leg at K-Park 2-2 the previous week, Kennedy’s side missed a host of gilt-edged chances against the Blues at Stair Park that would ultimately seal their fate. EK fought back from Grant Gallagher’s stunning opener on the stroke of half-time to level in the second half through Keir Samson and force extra-time.

However, more opportunities were passed up – in particular a 116th minute sitter from Joao Balde six-yards out – and Stranraer struck in the 117th minute through Craig Ross and in stoppage time via ex-EK man Aiden Gilmartin to break Kilby hearts.

It follows penalty shootout pain in 2017 in the final against Cowdenbeath and a semi-final loss to Cove Rangers in 2019. And gutted gaffer Kennedy said: “I’m devastated and I think everyone is. This isn’t being disrespectful to Stranraer, but the sheer volume of chances we created over two games means we should have won that game. That is it in a nutshell.

“I thought Stranraer were a hell of a lot better than they were in the first leg but at 1-1, we missed two or three astonishing chances. It is remarkable that we don’t score them. And then, ultimately, we got punished for that so we are really disappointed.

“I haven’t watched the game back and I probably won’t, to be honest, but I remember Joao’s chance live. He had two really good chances and missed