BUOYANT Beith boss Johnny Millar says his side are "long shots" for the Premier Division title after racking up their fifth win out of eight.

The Scottish Junior Cup holders defeated struggling Troon 3-1 at Bellsdale Park and are in sixth spot -11 points behind leaders Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.

But the Garnock Valley side have four games in hand over the pacesetters.

Millar was impressed with his team's performance and said: "We totally dominated the game and deserved our win. Troon scored first but we equalised at a good time, just before the break. We dominated the second half. It was nice to see Calum Watt scoring a couple of goals. He was injured at the start of the season and found it hard to get back into the team but he played very well."

The boss says his side are in the mix for the league and said: "We are a long shot for the league but are in the mix. We have a big backlog of game owing to our run in the Scottish Junior Cup and it remains to be seen what kind of impact that has. Glenafton, Rob Roy, Auchinleck Talbot, Pollok and ourselves are in with a chance. After last season we want to win things again."

Beith on Monday night defeated Darvel 6-2 in a friendly at Meadowside Park, Thomas Collins netting a hat-trick, with Ross "Archie" McPherson scoring twice and Ritchie Burke also on target.

Saturday sees them head to Barrfields Park to face Largs Thistle.

Millar said: "Largs had a good result on Saturday and have picked up under their manager Stuart Davidson. It will be a tough game but we are looking to take three points."

Meanwhile worried Kilwinning Rangers boss Chris Strain says his side face a "relegation dogfight".

Buffs slumped to bottom spot in the Super Premier Division following a 1-0 home defeat against Largs.

Strain was disappointed with the result and display at Abbey Park and told Sportscene: !We are in a relegation dog fight and face an face a fight for survival."