A TONGUE-lashing from Kilwinning Rangers boss Chris Strain was clearly taken to heart by his players as they battled back from adversity in the best possible style.

They beat struggling Arthurlie 4-1 in a McBookie Premier Division match on Saturday, just a week after going down 3-0 away to Bo'ness United in the third round of the Scottish Junior Cup.

And they did it the hard way, coming back from behind to seal all three points.

Now Buffs have an opportunity to soar to the top of the league this weekend and the boss is urging them to seize the day.

Strain had been bitterly disappointed with the display at Newtown Park but it was a different story back on home territory on Saturday as Buffs were back to their best, racking up their seventh win out of nine.

The manager said: "We started really well and were excellent throughout the 90 minutes. I was disappointed we lost a goal early on through a lapse of concentration. That proved a difficult time for us at it really tested our character. But we scored a lovely goal before half-tine through Michael Wardrope and dominated the second half. We worked hard and passed well, everyone looked good on the ball."

Strain, however, would not single out players and said: "Bryan Boylan will get the plaudits because he got two goals, but I felt it was a very good team performance. The players know when we get beaten we suffer together and when we win we win together. They do not become bad players because they lose a game and the players know that."

Buffs can go top by winning at Kilbirnie at Valefield Park on Saturday but Strain is taking nothing for granted and said: "It's a good position to be in. As Beith are in the cup we have an opportunity go top if we win and keep the momentum going, Kilbirnie have had an exceptional start to the season and are still a danger but we go there in good spirits. Hopefully we get a victory which puts us top of the table.

"But we won't get ahead of our station as we have done nothing, it's a decent start but leagues are not won in November. We just look to win the next game and see where it takes us."

James Latta misses the game through suspension but everyone else is available.

Irvine Meadow will hope to play at Dyce in their Scottish Junior Cup tie on Saturday after it was postponed for a second time. Irvine Vics are away to resurgent Saltcoats Vics after their game at Maybole fell victim to the weather.