IRVINE MEADOW co-boss Colin Spence is targeting a fifth-place finish in the West of Scotland Football League after his team’s derby victory away to Troon at the weekend.

The game at Portland Park was a tight one in the end, which saw the Medda run out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Connor Boyd and Jamie Martin.

The away side continued their brilliant form on the road this season, despite missing five first team regulars.

Spence admitted that having a lighter squad which included six teenagers and managing to get a result, is “no mean feat at this level” and that his side should be proud of their performance.

He also acknowledged that he knew going to Troon and avoiding defeat meant they “would finish above them.”

The opening stages of the game were even until the visitors broke the first half deadlock after a floated ball forward was controlled by striker Callum Graham and then rolled across goal for Boyd to tap in.

After the break, there was a short spell where neither team was fully in control.

A manic few minutes of action on the hour mark followed as Troon were first awarded a penalty which Sam Jamieson rattled off the cross bar.

Immediately, Irvine Meadow went straight up the other end of the park and scored thanks to Martin, who finished with a free header.

With 20 minutes left to play, the home side did manage to pull a goal back, as Jamieson looked to make amends for his missed spot kick by steering home a finish from close range.

In the end, though, the away team was able to see out the result and get the win in the Ayrshire Derby.

Spence said to the Times after the match: “We seem to play better on the road for some reason.

“If we had transferred that form to Meadow Park, we would have been entirely in the mix.

“If we win the last two games, then we are guaranteed to finish fifth, which would be quite a remarkable season given our budget.”

Irvine Meadow’s penultimate match of the season is against Darvel at Meadow Park on Saturday, May 14 at 2pm.