McBookie Championship

CUMBERNAULD UNITED 3

IRVINE VICTORIA 2

BRAVE Vics narrowly lost out to the promotion hopefuls after turning in a strong display at Guy's Meadow.

They recovered well from their 9-1 Scottish Junior Cup defeat against Kirkintilloch Rob Roy seven days earlier and were unlucky to take nothing from the game.

The Westenders got off to the perfect start by taking the lead in 11 minutes through Hamish McKinlay.

However in 28 minutes the home side levelled.

Two minutes after the break Cumbernauld took the lead.

Cumbernauld came close on the hour when a shot was well saved by visiting goalie Ryan McLaren.

Five minutes later the visitors were denied what looked a fair penalty claim after Kevin Adam was upended inside the box.

In 73 minutes Cumbernauld scored from the penalty spot to give them a two-goal cushion.

Two minutes later Adam netted to pull Vics within a goal. And the visitors were so unlucky in 85 minutes when McLaren had an effort saved by the home goalie.

IRVINE VICTORIA: McLaren; R Singleton, Holden, Trialist, Maxwell, McKenzie, Craig, P Singleton, McKinlay, Adam, Skeoch.