McBookie Ayrshire District League

DARVEL 2

WHITLETTS VICTORIA 0

DARVEL kept their promotion push on track as they overcame a spirited Whitletts side in an entertaining match at Recreation Park.

And although they will be disappointed with the outcome, Neil Duffy’s new look side can take heart from their performance against one of the division's top sides.

The first period was an open affair with the visitors having most of the possession and territorial advantage while Darvel were proving dangerous on the counter attack. Chances were being created at both ends of the park and in 14 minutes Vics keeper Ally McInnes took a sore one from his own defender as Raymond Buchanan cleared a dangerous cross into the box from Mark Armour.

Vics were unlucky when Chris Black capitalised on a mishit Tony Balfour shot and although he forced the ball past Vale keeper David Markey, the ball bounced off Sam McFall and back into the keeper's arms.

Darvel broke immediately upfield and from Armour’s cross Jordan Ryan volleyed wide.

Whitletts were making headway down the left flank with new signing Ross Campbell immediately fitting into the side and in one move he released Sean Ewart down the wing and the youngster's cross had a few hearts in the mouths as it landed on top of the net.

In 28 minutes a sublime free-kick from Dougie Robertson crashed back off the post. Jamie Henderson’s follow up was blocked and McInnes produced a superb save to deny Armour as the home side looked set to take the lead.

Then Vics were denied by the woodwork as Chris Black weaved his way past a couple of challenges only for Markey to touch his drive onto the post.

With two minutes of the half remaining Vics should have been awarded a penalty kick as Balfour was clearly pushed as he tried to round Markey inside the side yard box. The Whitletts striker tried to stay on his feet but was clearly off balance as his shot came back off the post and referee Craig Walker waved aside the visitors' appeals.

The second period was only two minutes old when Darvel made the vital breakthrough. Buchanan failed to cut out a long ball forward and as McInnes raced off his line Ryan slid in to set up Vernon who smashed the ball into the empty net from 15 yards.

It was a blow for Vics and gave the hosts the impetus to drive forward and moments later Armour flashed a shot just wide.

Vics' response was a long kick out from McInnes that picked out Balfour but this time the striker fired into the side netting. Midway through the half, in a similar move the Vics hitman blazed the ball over the bar but Darvel were having the better of the play by this point and in 67 minutes they increased their advantage. Again the Vics defence were punished as Jordan Mullen failed to properly deal with an aerial ball at the edge of the box and Ryan capitalised to drill the ball past McInnes.

The visitors fought to get back into the game but Darvel had a strong grip on the match and inside the last five minutes Mark Gilmour was denied by McInnes who made a superb save to turn the substitute's shot over the bar.

In the end it was a deserved victory for Darvel but a performance from which Neil Duffy’s new look side can take a lot of encouragement from as they head into the latter stages of the season.

WHITLETTS VICTORIA: McInnes; L Anderson, Campbell, Mullen, Buchanan, Davidson (Sloan 78),. Ewart (B.Anderson 78), L Kerr, Black, McFall (McCarrison 78), Balfour. Subs (not used): Hercus., K Kerr.