RELIEVED Troon FC assistant boss Matt Maley praised his team as they swept aside strugglers Renfrew to rack up only their second league win.

They ran out 3-0 winners at Western Park against the second bottom hosts, who have picked up just four points from their opening nine games.

Maley believes the will was well deserved and hopes it will boost the confidence of the Seasiders, who won promotion through the play-offs last season.

He said: "We showed a good attitude on Saturday and scored some real quality goals. We were worthy winners and could have scored more goals had we taken our other chances. It was important to get another win. I feel we have played well against some of the quality sides but have not taken some of our chances."

Troon take a break from league action on Saturday as they host Dundee outfit Lochee Harp in the opening round of the Scottish Junior Cup.

Maley said: "Hopefully a good number of fans turn out as there's always a big interest it the Scottish Cup. They are not a bad side but we make this a difficult place for other teams to come and are looking to take three points."

Meanwhile defender David Syme, who had been on loan from Kilmarnock, has left the club to join Premier Division rivals Kilwinning Rangers./

Maley added: "Let's just say we felt it was in David's interests to find another club."

Meanwhile stand-in Ayr United skipper Steven Bell dubbed Lawrence Shankland the "best striker I have ever played with" after his double at Alloa helped them reach a major milestone.

The second goal was the 6000th in all for the Honest Men and it took them top of the table.

Bell said: "He is the best striker I have ever played with - he has pace, power and strength and his first goal today, there are not many strikers who could finish that. He has pace, power and strength. I see him every day in training and he trains out of his skin. Alloa is a difficult place to come."

Bell said the pressure will be off his side as they head to Ibrox Stadium tomorrow (Wednesday) to face Rangers in the Betfred Cup quarter-finals.

He said: "We will go out with our game plan and the gaffer do a bit of shaping. We will have 900 fans there and will go and enjoy it first and foremost and see where it goes. We went to Dundee as underdogs and won. But Rangers under Steven Gerard are a totally different outfit."