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Kilmarnock loss to Connah's Quay Nomads the worst result in club's history, says Gary Dicker

Kilmarnock's Gary Dicker was left frustrated
Image: Kilmarnock's Gary Dicker was left frustrated

Kilmarnock captain Gary Dicker has described their Europa League qualifying loss to Connah's Quay Nomads as the worst result in the club's 150-year history.

Killie crashed out of the Europa League qualifiers at the first hurdle after letting slip a first-leg lead with a 2-0 home defeat to the Welsh side.

Steve Clarke led the team to record top-flight points tallies in each of the last two seasons, but the Scotland manager's successor, Italian Angelo Alessio, endured a nightmare Rugby Park debut as Killie conceded two second-half goals.

Dicker claims the result, in the first European game at Rugby Park for 18 years, has to be the worst in the club's history.

"It's got to be," said the midfielder. "We have got to take the blame for it. We got the plaudits last year, record-breakers, but we are breaking the wrong records this year.

Connah's Quay Nomads
Image: Connah's Quay Nomads stunned Kilmarnock

"It's just not good enough. As players, it's embarrassing. The fans have waited that long to get here and we dish up that. I'm gutted for them more than anyone. They have been through enough over the years.

"We have worked that hard, and then to dish that up, it's embarrassing, a disgrace, whatever you want to call it."

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The Irishman felt they failed to apply the basics against the Welsh part-timers.

"I don't think complacency is the word," the 32-year-old said. "It was just not doing what we are good at, what got us here - hard work and graft and helping each other out. The minute we think we are better than that, we are in trouble.

"We're getting used to playing a different way but we have still got to manage the game as players. We will take full responsibility for it. I will, I'm sure the rest of the lads will.

"I'm not going to sugar-coat it or say it's early on, it's just not good enough as a group and a club. We embarrassed ourselves and our fans, to be honest with you. It's hard to take.

"We are going to get hammered for probably the worst performance in the club's history - and we deserve to get hammered for it."

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