Girvan will dine out at the Hilton

Teenage Ayr striker leaves them on brink of title

Peter Leonard hailed teenage striker James Hilton as Girvan stand on the brink of the Premier Division.

The Ayr United farmout hit a decisive third goal as Girvan beat Maryhill 3- 0 at Hamilton Park on Monday evening.

Now a draw away to Yoker in their final game on Saturday will clinch the First Division title - although at worst a promotion play- off is already assured.

Boss Leonard said: “Hilton’s goal was crucial. If the score had stayed 2- 0 we would have been level on goal difference with Clydebank.

“It now means a point at Yoker will be enough. We’ve won our last four games but have achieved nothing yet.”

David Cunningham and Stevie McCreadie were also on the mark while a Tony Murphy goal edged a 1- 0 win over Renfrew on Saturday.

bid to bounce back from their league title heartache when they entertain in the semifinal of the West of Scotland Cup on Wednesday evening.

They booked their place with a 3- 1 win at Darvel last midweek thanks to goals from Craig McCracken, Ross Harvey and Dylan Pooler.

Hopes of a fifth straight Premier title were killed with a 3- 0 defeat at Beith who scored through Ross McPherson, Joe Bradley and Calum Watt.

And the misery continued on Monday night when they lost 2- 0 at home to Kilwinning.

Cumnock booked their West semi with a 5- 3 penalties win over Rob Roy. Scott Anson gave ‘ Nock the lead in a 1- 1 draw after they had missed a penalty.

Former Ayr full- back Andy Muir hit the clincher spot- kick in the shoot- out.

will have a change at the top after Gordon Burns announced he is stepping down as manager.

He also served as a player, captain, coach and assistant manager in a remarkable 10 years at Portland Park.

Relegated Troon were stung by an 89th minute sickener as they finished with a 2- 1 defeat away to Glenafton.

They fell behind in the first minute to a goal from Joe Andrew but equalised soon after the restart through Dale Moore. Moore was then stretchered off after landing awkwardly before Zack Simpson was sent off.

Troon looked like hanging on until David Gray fired home a dubious penalty awarded for hand ball.

were down to the bare bones but finished with a 3- 0 win away to thanks to a Scott Dempster double and a goal from on loan Stranraer striker Mitchell Ewing.

have splashed the cash to sign defender Isaac Kerr who is leaving Kilwinning after three seasons.

The Dam Park club are also linked with their former defender Martin Lawrie who left Ayrshire for Blackburn United. player of the year is 36- year- old defender Stuart Peacock. Players’ player is first season junior Damien Bloy while young player is teenage striker Gavin Scott.