GOAL hero Neil Slooves hailed Irvine Meadow’s team spirit as they racked up a third win on the spin in the McBookie Premiership.

They defeated Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 1-0 at home and now turn their attention to the visit of Arthurlie for a West of Scotland Cup tie.

It will be the first time the teams have met since Meadow won the Premiership play-off 18 months ago.

He said: “It was quite a scrappy game but we found a way to win and that’s the main thing. Rob Roy are fighting to stay up but we have a good spirit in our dressing room and always confident we can get on the end of a cross. As a defender it was good to get a clean sheet.”

Looking ahead to the West tie he added: “It will be another hard game, I’ve heard they are a good team and strong upfront. We just have to keep each game as it comes.”

Boss Brian McGinty said: “We were well worth the win, it would have been a travesty had we not wpm. Neil Slooves has played in centre midfield and centre half and is playing out of his skin. To me, Darren Miller, Callum Gow and Neil are the best three centre halves in the league. It will be a really tough game against Arthurlie. This is a tournament we want to win and we are at home.”

Meanwhile Irvine Victoria assistant boss Mark McCann said it would be “difficult” for his team to survive in the Championship following a 3-0 defeat away to fellow strugglers Whitletts Victoria. It leaves them firmly anchored to bottom spot.

He said:”Our budget is a quarter what Whitletts have. It will be really difficult to stay up. If you were a betting man you would put money on us being relegated. We only have 10 games although we will keep battling. We have experienced guys like Harpo (David Smith) Michael Holden and Blair Cousar but a lot of the other guys haven’t played at this level although this gives them a chance to put themselves in the shop window.”

Kilwinning Rangers returned to form with a 1-0 home win against Rossvale. Boss Chris Strain said: “It was a tough encounter and we did enough to win although the chances we created in the second half it could have been one or two more.”