Mighty hit as Collins runs riot

Johnny Millar admitted victory was vital with two tricky away days to come as his men answered the call with a Bellsdale blitzing.

Thomas Collins grabbed a hattrick as the defending champions put five past Rob Roy in 20 minutes.

Trips to Auchinleck – who Beith beat to the title on the final day – and Kilwinning are up next either side of a Scottish Cup tie at home.

Mighty boss Millar said: “They are short of a few numbers but so are we. We just told them we need the three points, take it a game at a time and hopefully string a few results together.

“We have two hard away games next so it was imperative we won.”

Collins struck in five minutes despite John Hutchinson’s double save. Martin McBride levelled with a free-kick three minutes later but Collins got No.2 in 24 minutes.

The second 45 saw Beith steamroll Rob Roy with sub Joe Bradley starting things in the 67th minute before turning provider for Collins.

Bradley’s corner then found John Sheridan and the ref judged his header had crossed the line.

Sub Peter Haggerty hit on the counter and Andy Reid headed in before Rabs’ Willie Sawyers struck.

Rob Roy boss Stewart Maxwell said: “In the first half, stonewall penalty – Gary Carroll goes down, he’s on a yellow card. Why would he dive when he’s on a yellow? That would have changed the game.

“Their third was offside. Their fifth wasn’t over the line – I’ve been told that by one of their players.”