DERBY goal hero Rhys Devlin and manager Brian McGinty are hoping Irvine's Meadow's dramatic Marymass Derby win against Irvine Vics will spark a turnaround in their fortunes.

However, it was agony for Vics striker Roddy Paterson, who became the first Westenders player to score a hat-trick in the game but end up on the losing side in Friday night's annual showdown.

Devlin said: "It was as well-fought performance and a win is a win. But we need to do better as a team, it has not been good enough the last couple of weeks. Hopefully this win will give us a spur on and we can pick up.

"It was a typical derby and I felt Vics were more competitive than in the cup tie. In the first half they did well but we were better in the second half. We were disappointed with the goals but we must get together as a team, spur each other on and give each other confidence. It was good to get the win for the fans."

Meadow manager Brian McGinty said: "Defensively we were a shambles and I came on because I think I thought I could help us win the game. The goals we conceded were a shambles. We are playing in the top league and no disrespect to Irvine Vics. We are in the top league and if we lose goals like that we are going to struggle. This was not good enough and we need to improve as a team defensively.

"It was nice to get back to winning ways. This should give us confidence for the game against Pollok."

Paterson, playing in his first Irvine derby said: "I'm only the third Irvine Vics player to score a hat-trick in the derby but I was the first to be on the losing side. That was unfortunate. I arrived just 10 minutes before the game as I was held up. Possibly I should skip the warm-up for now on," he quipped.

Added the former Ayr United striker: "I had a chance at 3-3 to score the fourth goal but there was a good block. I have good young players behind me and it was a great ball from young Ross Loughlin for the third goal. We can take positives as we were the best side with nine men against a Premier Division team."

Assistant boss Mark McCann said: "Our discipline let us down but I can't argue about either of the red cards. It was a bad challenge by Paul Singleton and Ryan Singleton kicked out. We did well in the first half and Roddy took his goals well.

"Now we have to focus on the home game against St Roch's, who are just above us in the table and must look to win it."