McBookie Super League Premier Division

AUCHINLECK TALBOT 0

KILWINNING RANGERS 2

By Stewart McConnell

BUFFS breezed past last season's champions to guarantee a Premier Division playoff place.

It was a rare victory at Beechwood Park for Chris Strain's men but they were were worthy winners as they dominated the game.

Talbot fielded a number of trialists with tonight's (Wednesday) West of Scotland Cup semi-final in mind while Buffs had some Under-19s players on the bench.

Buffs forged a half chance in six minutes when a Ben Lewis effort from 25 yards was blocked by a Talbot defender.

Talbot were unlucky in seven minutes when a 20-yard effort from Dylan Stevenson was deflected wide by the Buffs rearguard.

Then visiting goalie Adam Strain comfortably gathered an Allan Patterson effort from the edge of the box.

Talbot had their best opening so far in 13 minutes when Mark Shankland sent a 20-yard free-kick behind the goal. It was a low key start to the game.

Sam McCloskey aimed a through pass at the onrushing Bryan Boylan in 25 minutes but the ball spun out of play.

Buffs blasted into the lead in great style in 37 minutes when 18-year-old John Monan notched his first goal for the club as his 25-yard shot went in off the underside of the bar.

Talbot went close on the hour when Michael O'Connor shot wide from 16 yards.

The hosts had a great chance in 65 minutes when Stevenson beat a defender before shooting just high and wide from 16 yards.

In 67 minutes Findlay Frye played a precision pass to Boylan to shoot narrowly wide from 16 yards.

Buffs doubled their advantage in 76 minutes when Ricky Harvey shot in off the post from 16 yards.

Home substitute Keir Milliken played a cross into the box but could find no takers in 81 minutes as Buffs held on to win.

AUCHINLECK TALBOT: Hewitt; Harvey, McCracken, McPherson, Whyte, Hyslop, White, Stevenson, O'Connor, Shankland, Patterson. Subs: Pooler, Milliken, S Wilson, McGoldrick, Thomson.

KILWINNING RANGERS: Strain; Hanley, McCloskey, Monan, Morris, Frye, Morrison, McGuinness, Boylan, Lewis, Monti. Subs: Cashmore, Kiefer, Shearer, McKay, Walker.