McBookie Super League Premier Division

BEITH JUNIORS 3

KILWINNING RANGERS 1

BEITH gained revenge for perhaps their most disappointing performance of the season when they had gone down by the same scoreline at Abbey Park in December.

The Bellsdale side's team selection was again severely restricted and both sides had little to call on from the bench.

Buffs were desperately seeking points to boost their survival hopes, but they never at any point looked like achieving this as Beith bounced back from their midweek reverse with a good performance.

Beith started positively with Darren Christie to the fore and he found Calum Watt with a perfect cross but he was unable to direct his header away from keeper Strain. Christie continued to trouble the Buffs defence with his strong runs and it took the visitors some time before they got the ball forward where Digny turned a Cashmore effort behind. A free- kick into the Beith box saw Tommy Maitland head over the bar and that really was the only noteworthy attacking play Buffs mustered with the slope advantage as Beith kept a tight grip on proceedings.

Ex-Beith goalie Adam Strain almost gifted his old side the lead with a wayward kick out but he atoned for his error by stopping Ross McPherson's shot. However he was culpable in Beith's opener when he got caught on the edge of his box and his hesitant clearance was blocked by David McGowan who applied a good finish to find the net.

Buffs had to replace limping defender Isaac Kerr before the side's left for the break with Beith a goal to the good.

Beith wasted no time to double their advantage after the restart when they cut through the Buffs defence with a quick attack for Joe Bradley to send Ross McPherson through on Strain with a measured pass and the striker shot confidently past the advancing goalie.

The two-goal cushion looked enough for Beith but Buffs tried to change things using their remaining substitutes and they gave themselves a glimmer with a goal out of nothing on the hour mark. Carlo Monti stole possession from Conor McGlinchey as he tried to see the ball out on the byeline and crossed for substitute Lewis Morrison to head home at the near post.

Joe Bradley's skills were apparent throughout the game and he was only a fraction away from chipping advancing keeper Strain after Paul Frize won possession in midfield and sent him away. Beith always looked the more potent side and they restored their two-goal advantage with a fine goal when they surged forward allowing Calum Watt to swing in a cross for the inrushing Darren Christie to crash home a powerful shot at the back post.

Any slim hopes Buffs had of salvaging something died at this point and Beith coasted home pretty much in total control.

The visitors' frustrations boiled over in the closing minutes when substitute Moffat was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Paul Frize right in front of the Ref.

BEITH: Digny; McGlinchey, Burke, McArthur, Sheridan, Bradley, Watt, Frize, McPherson, Christie, McGowan. Subs: Collins, MacDonald, Elliot.

KILWINNING RANGERS: Strain; Coleman, McLuskey, Kerr, Morris, Maitland, Frye, McGuinness, Cashmore, Lewis, Monti. Subs: Morrison, Hannay, Moffat.