STRIKER Bryan Boylan has been praised by Kilwinning Rangers boss Chris Strain after earning his first Scotland call-up.

The target man, in his fifth season at Abbey Park, is in the squad who take on Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Isle of Man in the Quadrangular Tournament.

Strain said: "I am delighted for Bryan, this call-up is recognition of all his hard work and graft at the club. He works very hard on his fitness which has paid off and has great energy levels. This is a real boost for him."

Meanwhile Buffs are looking to bounce back from their first league defeat of the season as they make the short trip to Bellsdale Park for a clash with a Beith side who have won their opening three matches.

And Carlo Monti, who scored the goal in Saturday's 2-1 home defeat against Pollok, is looking for a good response.

He said: "We are looking for a reaction after losing at home. At this stage in November we had eight points. It was harsh, I don't think we deserved to lose. It's a massive game away to Beith on Saturday and are looking to win and played them a few weeks ago and drew 2-2. I feel we have come on leaps and bounds from last season."

Added midfielder Findlay Frye: "We played well in parts and they never had many chances. I thought we deserved something out of the game and had shots cleared off the line. That's two wins out of three and hopefully we can get points at Beith."

Strain was upbeat about the display and said: "We were slightly unlucky as a couple of things never fell for us in the box. We created the majority of chances, Ricky Hanvey and Tommy Maitland had shots cleared off the line. The team who finish above Beith will win the league and we are above them. The Beith game is a real toughie as they are flying high."

Irvine Victoria boss Stevie Wilson was impressed with his side's battling qualities as they defeated Maybole 5-3 at home in a high-scoring District League game on Saturday.

They have now won two of their three opening games.

Wilson said: "It's not the best we had played but it was our fifth game in about 10 days. But it was important that we got the win. That was the kind of game we might have drawn last season."

Saturday sees Vics make the short trip to Ayr to face Whitletts Victoria.

Wilson said: "Whitletts were one of the title favourites last season and just came up short. But we will go there with confidence and are aiming to take the three points."

Keith Wood, David "Harpo" Smith and Grant Bolton are still out injured.