McBookie Ayrshire District League

SALTCOATS VICTORIA 1

IRVINE VICTORIA 2

SPIRITED Irvine edged out the Seasiders to extend their lead at the top of the table to 12 points.

It was the 11th win out of 13 for Stevie Wilson's side who look in a very good position to secure promotion back to the Super First Division.

Irvine started the game with the strong wind at their back and took the game to Saltcoats, and with a very heavy pitch to contend with this was never going to be a classic.But credit to both teams for trying to play football.

Irvine had their first chance at goal in only two minutes when a good Callum Davidson cross was met by Kevin Adam at the near post but his header glanced just wide.

Saltcoats were being pushed back in the early stages, but were dangerous on the break - especially with Ryan McKie on the left. And it took a last gasp tackle from visiting skipper Robert Burgess to prevent him from scoring.

With the wind at their backs and the Saltcoats rearguard coping well with what Irvine had to offer they were being restricted to shots from distance. Firstly Andrew Hislop tried his luck then Mark McRobert had a go but both shots were well wide.

As the first half wore on Irvine were becoming more and more dangerous and both Davidson and Adam were looking for a goal. But they were being caught out with the well-marshalled defence who on more than one occasion caught them offside.

Saltcoats did every so often mount an attack and only Colin Frye's lack of match fitness prevented a goalscoring opportunity when he was played in by Johnston.

As the first half was drawing to an end Irvine broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion when a 25-yard free-kick from Davidson beat Catterson all ends up in 43 minutes. The same player set up number two a minute later when he fired a shot which ex-Irvine goalie Jim Catterson failed to hold and McRobert nicked in for a tap in to make it 2-0.

Saltcoats in the second half with the aid of the strong wind, took the game to Irvine and it turned into a mirror image of the opening period, with Saltcoats attacking without really testing Lamb and Irvine breaking away through Eddie Ablohr and Adam without either testing Catterson.

With half an hour left Saltcoats brought on Sean Quinn for Simon Johnston and Thomas McLelland for Frye and they stepped up a gear. But the Irvine rearguard were standing up well and when they were broken, Chris Lamb was there to save the day.

As the game neared an end, Lamb was booked for time wasting and with the very next attack McLelland gave Saltcoats a lifeline when he beat the defence and lobbed the ball home.. But it was to little, too late for the Seasiders.

SALTCOATS VICTORIA: Catterson; Arthur, Paril, Bonner, Patrick, A Weaver, Paton, Ferris, C Frye, Johnston, McKie. Subs: Quinn, Gibson, McLelland, Easdon, Galloway.

IRVINE VICTORIA Lamb; Russell, Young, Burgess, Craig, Ablorh, Davidson, Adam, Hislop, McRoberts. Subs: McDermott, McEvoy, Chesney, Mitchell.