BRAVE central defender Martyn Campbell bowed out in style on Friday, helping ensure Kilwinning Rangers' Premier Division survival.

The 36-year-old former Ayr United stopper made his farewell in the playoff game against Kilsyth Rangers at Abbey Park, which ended in a 2-2 draw, courtesy of goals from Findlay Frye and Sam McCloskey. Buffs won 3-2 on aggregate after a Carlo Monti goal had given them a 1-0 win in the opening leg at Kilsyth.

Now after beating the drop, Buffs are going all out for success in the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup as they host Auchinleck Talbot in the semi-final tonight (Wednesday).

Campbell, who is retiring owing to a recurring knee injury said: "It was an exciting game and excellent to come away with the win. I have had a lot of knee injuries. That's me done, I'll probably not play again. I have been in the game for 20 years. My knee was really painful before the game and during it.

"Hopefully the team can build on this. I will watch my son Ryan playing now."

Boss Chris Strain added: "Martyn hasn't been able to walk since playing for us against Pollok a couple of weeks ago and I begged and pleaded with him to play. We have just seen him bow out on his sword. He was our best player."

Added Strain: "I'm very proud of the boys to win over two legs. Hopefully we can sign the boys we are looking for now. We have had good results but since the turn of the year have won 14 games out of 20. We can look forward to the semi-final without the fear of relegation. Kilwinning Rangers will be a force to be reckoned with next season."

Meanwhile midfielder Carlo Monti was delighted with the playoff result and is relishing the semi-final.

He said: "Findlay Frye had a feeling I would score in the first leg but I wasn't doing well in the warm-up and changed my boots. I was pleased with my goal. Findlay then he told me he would score on Friday and it was great he did. It was vital we stayed up."

Looking ahead he added: "Talbot will be wounded after losing the Scottish Cup final. But we want to win a trophy and I am hopeful we can go through."

Meanwhile Irvine Victoria have re-signed Graeme Anderson, Paul Young, Ryan Singleton, Kieran Hollis, Callum Davidson, Jordan Craig, George Bonner, David Adams, Kevin Adams and Eddie Alorh for next season.