McBookie Super League Premier Division

KILWINNING RANGERS 1

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 3

BUFFS are still firmly anchored in bottom spot after losing to a visiting side who gain three valuable points to move eight points clear of the automatic relegation spots.

Kilwinning had the first chance of the game when a Joe Coleman cross held up in the strong wind and it left Ricky Hanvey with a chance but he fired his effort wide.

A few minutes later Ladeside took the lead when a quick breakaway by Ciran McElroy saw him find Adam Forde in the centre of the pitch and he in turn released a well-timed pass to Martin Grehan, who made no mistake as he fired a terrific effort from 18 yards past Adam Strain and into the net.

Hanvey and Cashmore then sent efforts high and wide before a good cross field pass by Haxton found Gray on the left but his shot from distance went well over.

In 41 minutes a long ball forward saw Kyle Rafferty bundled over in the box by Barry Fleeting and the referee awarded a penalty.Confusion then reigned as firstly Kilwinning 'keeper Strain was shown a red card for abusive language and Craig Burns came on to replace him in goal. It took the Ladeside players and crowd to point out the fact no outfield player had been substituted to allow Burns to enter the field.

Eventually Ian Cashmore made way and the game could commence after a delay of four minutes as Forde fired the spot kick past Burns into the net.

Kilwinning came close in added time when a ball into the box fell to Hanvey and his shot was turned onto the post by Hughes.

Ten-man Buffs came close to reducing the deficit when Kieran Hughes pushed away a Carlo Monti free-kick and then he crossed the ball to the back post but Hanvey fired his effort into the side net.

Kilbirnie increased their lead in 61 minutes when a terrific driving run by David Anderson from halfway then saw him slip the ball through to Forde who smashed the ball past Burns from 16 yards.

A quick throw-in then found Hanvey who ran on into the box but Hughes tipped his effort wide of the post.

The hosts bagged a consolation in 87 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Ryan Haxton fouled Findlay Frye in the box after a long ball right through the Ladeside defence. Haxton was shown a straight red card by the referee and Monti fired the spot kick low into the right corner of the net. But Ladeside held on to win.

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE: Hughes; Haxton, Gray, Staunton, Donnelly, Green, McElroy, Anderson, Grehan, Forde, Harkins. Subs: Rafferty, Smith, Maxwell, Brannan, Kerr.

KILWINNING RANGERS: Strain; Coleman, Monti, Kerr, Fleeting, Frye, Boylan, McGuinness, Cashmore, Lewis, Hanvey. Subs: Maitland, McCloskey, Moffat, Hogg, Burns/