HEAVY rain and sub-zero temperatures played havoc with the football fixture list for Ayrshire’s clubs on Saturday – though there was plenty to keep the temperature up in the few games that did beat the weather.

Only three games in each of the five divisions of the West of Scotland Football League went ahead, most of them on artificial surfaces, with 10 Ayrshire teams in action across the day’s 15 matches.

In the top flight, Cumnock held Clydebank to a 1-1 draw at Townhead Park, despite finishing a fiery encounter with nine men – and it could have been even better for Murdo MacKinnon’s side had captain Findlay Frye not seen his penalty in the 88th minute saved by Clydebank keeper Jamie Donnelly.

Largs Thistle’s hopes of pulling to within a point of their visitors Pollok were dashed when the Glasgow club eased to a 3-1 win at Barrfields, with Lewis Davidson’s first-half equaliser proving in vain as Adam Forde and Andy Gallacher struck in the second half to give Stewart Maxwell’s men full points.

 

 

The day’s biggest climbers in the top flight were Darvel, who are now fourth in the table after winning 3-0 at Benburb in their first league match since mid-November, with former Cumnock striker Jordan Moore netting a double and ex-Talbot man Graham Wilson also on target.

Kilwinning Rangers moved to the top of the First Division, dislodging Petershill after an impressive second half display in the clash of the top two at Buffs Park, with Keiren Wood heading home the opener following a goalless first half before Mark Lamont added a double to put Chris Aitken’s men two points clear in pole position.

If you’re looking for a healthy advantage at the top of the standings, though, you need look no further than Ardrossan Winton Rovers, who opened up a remarkable gap of 16 points – albeit with more games played than any of the other sides challenging for promotion – at the sharp end of the Second Division table.

 

 

Gavin Friels’ men coasted to a 3-0 win away to Ayrshire rivals Bonnyton Thistle, with Alex Dean, Ryan Wilson and Mark Curragh on target as Winton made it nine wins in a row in all competitions.

But it was a tougher day at the office for Craigmark, who lost 4-2 away to Yoker; Ian Nixon’s men fell behind to Gregor Cree’s early double at Holm Park, and though Reece Wilson’s penalty and an own goal had the Mark level with just half an hour gone, Cree completed his hat-trick before Ross McDonald added a fourth before the break.

Ardeer Thistle knew they were in for a tough afternoon at home to Third Division leaders Finnart – and that was exactly how it panned out, with Przemyslaw Dachnowicz scoring twice for the Springburn side before Barry Peters added a third to end the match as a contest before the break.

 

 

Dylan McLintock’s header was enough to earn Eglinton an impressive win away to Fourth Division promotion chasers St Peters, but Saltcoats Vics saw their hopes of chalking up back-to-back victories for the first time this season dashed by a 2-1 defeat away to Carluke, with Scott Miller the scorer for the Campbell Park team.