ELATED Ardeer Thistle manager Derek Gemmell praised his side for pulling off their biggest win of the season.

The Stevenston team defeated promotion challengers Whitletts Victoria 3-2 at Dam Park to dent the Ayr team's District League title ambitions.

Gemmell was delighted with the display and said: "That was our best result this season so far. Whitletts had been going really well but we controlled the first half and could have been more than 2-0 up. I was pleased with how our new signing David Henry did and in the second half Donnie Campbell scored an absolute screamer for 40 yards. They came back a bit but we deserved to win.

"Hopefully the result will do Winton Rovers a favour."

The manager is impressed with his team's progress and said: "We have already passed our points total from last season and now we want to finish as high up the league as we can."!

Thistle on Saturday head to Dalmellington to face Craigmark Burntonians and Gemmell said: "We are aiming to go out and win the game."

Meanwhile jubilant striker Ben Lewis said Kilwinning Rangers fear no-one after they sent joint favourites Kelty Hearts crashing out of the Scottish Junior Cup.

Buffs soared into the quarter-finals for the second year running as they became the first team in Scotland to beat the Fifers this season and end their 26-match unbeaten run.

They were 2-1 winners at Central Park, Ricky Hanvey scoring the opening goal before Lewis doubled their tally.

Lewis was heartened with the performance and told Sportscene: "We went into the game confident we could win and our game plan was spot on. We hit Kelty on the counter-attack The players had a great attitude. I know when we play at our best we can beat anyone and we showed that on Saturday. Kelty are a real quality side. It was great to score a goal, I must be into double figures. Our cup form has been good."