BITTERLY disappointed IRVINE MEADOW boss Stevie Rankin is urging his side to bounce back quickly after their dream unbeaten run came to a shattering end.

A 3-1 home defeat against KILBIRNIE LADESIDE on Saturday was their first loss in 12 Premier Division games after they had won 10 and drawn one of their first 11.

And the leaders could hardly have a tougher start to 2015 as they head to Beechwood Park to face reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot on Saturday.

Tommy Sloan’s team closed the gap to four points and they have two games in hand.

Rankin told Sportscene: “It’s really disappointing to lose our unbeaten record but it’s our first defeat in 12 league games. We defended very poorly which is totally out of character for us. Ladeside are not a great team and a 25-minute spell in the first half cost us. The annoying thing was that it wasn’t just an individual error in the goals but two or three. We have spoken about it and the players are hurting after the result.

“It will be a difficult match for us at Auchinleck but I am looking for a reaction from the players. We were planning to have a training session on Monday night. We are still in contention but must go there aiming to get a result. Hopefully we can get some revenge after our Scottish Cup defeat against them.” The manager is considering adding a player to his squad soon but was tight-lipped on his identity or position.

Proud KILWINNING RANGERS co-boss Colin Stewart saluted back-from-injury striker John Bradford as he was on target on his first game back in five weeks.

And he was delighted with his team’s overall showing as they defeated Whitletts Victoria 5-1 at Abbey Park to rack up their 10th win out of 11.

The victory saw them end 2014 five points clear at the top of the Stagecoach Ayrshire District League.

Stewart told Sporttimes: “It was good to see John back in the side with Michael Hart out through work commitments, he set Bryan Boylan up for the opener and scored a great goal himself. John has such great experience and we saw that again on Saturday.

“I felt we played well. I know Whitletts had two players sent off but they played well at times. I was pleased with our defending which was better than in the West of Scotland Cup tie against Royal Albert.” Stewart is delighted with how things are going at Abbey Park compared to a year ago.

He said: “Our league form has been excellent and out target is promotion. Morale is good and we had a Christmas party for the players after the match. Things are much better than last year when the players were on half wages and we are working hard on the field and behind the scenes. Peter McNeillie and the ground staff did really well to make sure the park was playable.” Buffs on Saturday head to Campbell Park to face on-form SALTCOATS VICTORIA, who have won four straight games under manager Derek Frye.

And the co-boss says they are taking nothing for granted.

He said: “They are flying since Freddie Frye took over and it will be a test but we are looking to win the match and continue our run.” IRVINE VICTORIA are hoping to return to action at the weekend after their scheduled home clash with Maybole fell victim to frost.

The Westenders are due to host Kirkintilloch Rob Roy who were relegated from the Premier Division last season.

Co-boss Iain McMillan said: “Part of the park was frozen so the game had to be called off. Hopefully the game goes on, they beat us earlier in the season but we will go into the match looking to win it.” For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.