ARDEER Thistle boss Sean Kenney said Saturday’s 3-1 win away to Kilsyth Rangers is exactly the kind of performance his side will be building their season on.

The manager was delighted with their defensive showing, and wants that to continue throughout the season.

Kenney’s side went into the weekend’s fixture off the back of a disappointing defeat to Glasgow University the week prior.

And the Stevenston side got off to a poor start, as they fell behind to a 30-yard wonder-strike from Kilsyth midfielder Shields.

However, Ardeer pegged the home side back before half time, as Marc Wardrope headed home from a Logan Angus cross.

It was the second half in which Thistle really started to pull away, helped in part by an own goal less than five minutes into the second 45.

And just before the hour mark, Joe Young drove across the box before firing home, to make it a two goal cushion.

There was no scoring in the remaining half hour, though manager Kenney praised newly acquired goalkeeper Nathan Lightfoot for a terrific point blank save, which helped avoid a nervy ending.

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The Ardeer boss was delighted with his new stopper’s character, as he arrived having never met the squad before Saturday’s match.

And Kenney was full of praise for his full defensive unit, particularly his central partnership.

He said: “I think he’ll (Andy McGregor) be a favourite, the fans have really taken to him, and he’s started to form a partnership with (Michael) Howie as well.

“It’s just the start but it’s looking like a really good partnership.

“Defence is something we are going to be building our season on, and the boys defended excellently.”

Kenney was also delighted with the work rate of his midfield three, and the quality his side showed going forward, though hammered home that this was only one result.

He continued: “I said to the boys, we weren’t diddies last week when we lost and we’re not superstars this week when we win.

“We need to keep grafting, that’s all we can do, then anything can happen if you work hard.”