Fletcher is the hero for Neilston

Neilston bagged their second league win of the season thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory over highly-flying Irvine Vics.

The Farmer’s Boys were underdogs heading into the clash following the Ayrshire outfit’s frantic start to the Championship campaign.

Despite finding themselves up against it at times, Derek Carson and Chris Cameron’s side sealed all three points following Dylan Fletcher’s second-half strike.

Neilston controlled proceedings for the most part and should have killed the game off before a great save from Kyle Pirie denied the hosts a point at the other end.

Carson and Cameron had a headache before a ball was even kicked as a number of players missed out due to injuries and holidays.

It showed in the opening exchanges as both sides engaged in a scrappy start to the clash thanks to the swirling wind.

Paul Stewart forced the home keeper into the first save of the match with an early effort before he attempted a lob minutes later that went straight into the keeper’s hands.

But it wasn’t one-way traffic by any stretch of the imagination and The Vics came close to opening the scoring at the other end in 20 minutes.

Danny Wilson lined up a free-kick at the edge of the box but his vicious strike came flying back off the crossbar and clear of danger, much to the delight of the visitors.

At the other end, Neilston stalwart Stephen Docherty set up Fletcher, who shot just wide before good link-up play between Ross Hocknull and Stephen Stirling put Docherty through on goal but the defender couldn’t get the ball out from his feet and the Vics defence recovered.

Neilston started the second half on the front foot. Hocknull was sent scampering clear on goal from Robbie Halliday’s through ball but the home keeper made a good block at his feet to deny the opening goal.

But it was only a matter of time before the Farmer’s Boys finally wormed their way in front. Stirling was the architect in midfield as he laid in Fletcher who slotted the ball past the keeper and into the bottom corner.

And before the celebrations could die down, Fletcher attempted to become provider when he crossed for Docherty, but the player lost his composure and blasted the ball over the bar.

Neilston continued to pile on the pressure as substitute Jamie Hay cracked the crossbar with an effort from close range before fellow sub Brian Ashe forced a great save from the home keeper.

The inevitable fight back was never far away however, and Vics pushed for the equaliser in the last ten minutes. Pirie had to be at his best to produce a great save from Euan Farrell to deny the hosts taking something.

But Neilston held out for the win on an afternoon that they could have – and perhaps should have won more handsomely.

Neilston: Pirie, Halliday, Robson, Diack, Doyle, Docherty, Hocknull (Hay), Stirling, Fletcher (Ashe), Stewart, Haddow (Cumming). Sub not used: Mitchell