by Stephen Bark and Stewart McConnell

DEFIANT Kilwinning Rangers boss Chris Strain insisted his side weren't out of the Super League Premier Division title race, saying they "will be fighting to the death" after the defeat to Auchinleck Talbot on Saturday.

Dwayne Hyslop's early goal was enough to see Talbot earn the three points at Abbey Park and the result leaves Tommy Sloan's side in the driving seat, four points behind the Buffs with two games in hand.

Next up for the Buffs is a trip to Kirkintilloch Rob Roy tomorrow (Wednesday) and Strain wants to put Talbot under as much pressure as possible. He said: "We've got a game on Wednesday night which is great and it's a good one to bounce back for.

"We can get to 47 points and 47 points is a tough ask for Auchinleck to get to. It's in their hands now because of that result but 47 points means that there's not a lot of margin for error for them.

"We must ensure we get three wins out of three from our remaining games and set that target of 47 points and hopefully from there it is enough to get us over the line. We will be fighting to the death."

Strain was left frustrated at the end of a second half his side dominated. Ricky Hanvey was sent off for a second yellow after 48 minutes before Ryan Nisbet had a goal chopped off for offside.

The Buffs boss wasn't convinced referee Stephen Brown got either decision right.

Strain told Sportscene: "It was disappointing to lose the game. I didn't think we did enough in the first half to trouble Auchinleck in the way that I wanted us to.

"First of all, we lose a goal to a set-piece which is disappointing because we are allocated men to pick up. Secondly, we get a man sent off which I don't feel is a sending off and thirdly we get a goal chopped off that is probably not offside according to the guys that have got the television footage.

"It's disappointing that big decisions have went against us, I'm disappointed in the way that we played in the first half. In the second half, with 10 men, I thought we were excellent and certainly deserved something out the game."

Meanwhile Irvine Victoria hoping to seal promotion to the Championship on Saturday if they can defeat Lugar Boswell Thistle in their final league match of the season.

This comes after they suffered a surprise 3-0 away defeat against Craigmark Burntonians.

Wilson said: "We missed opportunities, including a penalty and Craigmark scored with their only chances. But it's in our own hands and if we win on Saturday we are promoted. That was our objective at the start of the season and I'm hopeful we can do that."