McBookie Ayrshire District League

IRVINE VICTORIA 6

SALTCOATS VICTORIA 3

ON-form Irvine eased past managerless Saltcoats in a nine-goal thriller to soar into top spot.

The Westenders had to come from behind to subdue a stubborn visiting side, whose manager George Grierson had left last week to take over the vacant Whitletts Victoria hotseat.

It was an entertaining game and in tough conditions and wast just one of two competitive games to go ahead in Ayrshire following the cold snap.

Vics got off to the perfect start just 10 minutes in when Sean Mears made a good run before being upended inside the box and David Adams netted from the spot to score a landmark 50th goal for the club.

However Saltcoats levelled 10 minutes later and netted again to go into the interval 2-1 ahead.

Irvine came out with a renewed purpose after the break and equalised in 53 minutes when Callum Davidson shot home from the edge of the box. Then 10 minutes later Adams made a good run down the right hand side before crashing the ball home.

In 76 minutes, midfielder/striker Kenny Parris, playing as a trialist, before signing after the game, shot into the bottom corner to give his side a three-goal cushion.

Saltcoats pulled a goal back a minute later following a misjudged clearance from Pete Wood.

However a minute into injury-time victory was sealed in style as Parris set up Dylan Hamilton to drill the ball home.

Next up for Irvine Vics is a testing trip to Merksworth Park to face Dalry Thistle, while Saltcoats Vics have a free week.

IRVINE VICTORIA: Lamb; Bonner, Wilson, Wood, Smith, Davidson, Craig, Mears, Singleton, Adams, Parris. Subs; Wilson, Hamilton, Anderson, Adam, Scott.