McBookie Super League Premier Division

KILWINNING RANGERS 1

CUMNOCK 1

by Matt Speirs

IN a match completely spoiled by the wind, a share of the points suited Cumnock more than relegation-threatened Kilwinning.

Buffs chose to play against the strong wind in the first half and took the game to their East Ayrshire opponents.

The first chance for Buffs came in 10 minutes when Carlo Monti sent a cross along the six-yard box, but there were no takers.

It took a fine full length save by Darren Johnson in the visiting goal to keep out a ball by one of his defenders.

Monti had a chance for Kilwinning on the half hour, but sent his shot high over the bar.

Cumnock took the lead in 35 minutes, Scott Anson squaring to Ray Montgomerie, who had the simple task of shooting into the net.

Four minutes later an effort by Monti was diverted over the bar for a corner.

Playing into the wind after the break seemed to suit Buffs and in 49 minutes, a Lewis Morrison shot rebounded from the post to safety.

On the hour, it took a fine save by Adam Strain to deny Cumnock a second goal as he foiled Andy Muir.

Three minutes later a shot by home substitute Ricky Hanvey was charged down.

Kilwinning had a number of free-kicks just outside the penalty area but Monti and Hanvey sent them them over the bar.

With 18 minutes left Buffs got the goal their play deserved when a shot rebounded from the post and Monti lashed the rebound into the roof of the net.

Kilwinning had a chance to go ahead four minutes later but Monti headed a Hanvey cross just wide.

With three minutes left, Del Esplin had a chance to steal all three points but his shot cleared the bar by inches.

KILWINNING RANGERS: Strain; Coleman, McCloskey, Kerr, Morris, Maitland, Morrison, McGuinness, Monti, Lewis, Boylan. Subs: Hanvey, Cashmore, Moffat, Frye,

Campbell.

CUMNOCK: Johnson; Wood, Crawford, Lundie, McKenna, Esplin, Samson, Burns, Anson, Montgomerie, Muir. Subs: Kerr, McRobbie, Porte, Bryden.