Kilwinning Rangers defeat Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Buffs Park

It came as they defeated fellow strugglers Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Buffs Park.

The 2-0 win lifts Buffs off bottom position in the league and up into 14th - the last of three relegation spots.

It also takes them within four points of last night's opponents, who sit only one position above them in the standings with one game in hand.

Buffs are now also only five points behind 12th placed Arthurlie, who have played four matches more than Chris Aitken's side.

Wednesday's result was an impressive way to bounce back after last Friday's draw against Cumnock, in which a 94th-minute penalty robbed Buffs of full points.

And with several games still to play against the teams around them in the league, Aitken's men have set down an early marker that they are willing to battle.

Buffs were without both of their top scorers last night, with both Thomas Collins and Dylan Mackin injured.

But that did not show in their performance, as Keiren Wood gave the home side the lead just before the half hour mark, heading home from a corner.

Chris Aitken's side were then awarded penalty as the half came to a close, when Jordan Stuart was brought down in the box.

Mark Millar stepped up and duly converted the spot kick.

There would be no further scoring in the second 45, though there was plenty of drama.

First, Daniel O’Halloran of Rob Roy was dismissed after recieving his second booking of the evening on 75 minutes.

Two minutes later their goalkeeper Kyle Aitken was given his marching orders, also for a second booking - forcing the visitors to put an outfield player between the sticks for the closing stages.

Next up for Buffs is a home tie against Gartcairn in the quarter-finals of the South Challenge Cup this Saturday, April 1 (KO 2pm) - the first of three games in the space of five days for Aitken's men, with midweek league games against Auchinleck Talbot and Petershill to follow on April 3 and 5.