Kilwinning Rangers 3 Darvel 6
Craig Truesdale bagged a hat-trick as Darvel hit Kilwinning Rangers for six last night to extend their lead at the top of the West of Scotland League Premier Division.
Despite Kilwinning taking a second minute lead at Buffs Park through Thomas Collins, Darvel quickly turned the match on its head - Daryll Meggatt, Ian McShane and Truesdale all finding the net over the course of the next 20 minutes to put the visitors 3-1 in front.
Keiren Wood reduced the deficit against the run of play before half-time to keep the hosts in the game. But they couldn't live with Mick Kennedy's side after the break.
Truesdale scored twice in succession to complete his treble and Jordan Kirkpatrick got on the scoresheet before a late deflected Collins's strike added a semblance of respectability to the scoreline.
The result sent Darvel eight points clear of second placed Beith at the summit, albeit having played one game more than their nearest rivals.
And in this kind of form it will take something special to stop The Vale marching to a second successive title.
They arrived in North Ayrshire looking to make it five wins on the spin in the division.
Collins gave them a fright when his smart close range finish got Kilwinning off to a dream early start. But if anything, the setback seemed to spur Darvel into action.
McShane rattled the crossbar with a devilishly dipping free-kick before Meggatt levelled the scores in the ninth minute when his downward header at a corner kick caught out goalkeeper Ewan Henderson.
Dylan Mackin and Wood passed up opportunities to put Buffs back in front before Darvel took the lead in sensational fashion in the 13th minute.
Home defender Kevin Nicoll was caught dithering in possession 35 yards from goal and McShane latched on to the loose ball, executing a perfect lob that beat Henderson all ends up.
Truesdale then chipped in with an equally cheeky backheel finish that caught everyone by surprise in a packed six-yard box.
The visitors were playing with real panache and confidence and looked likely to add to their 3-1 lead before poor defending at a corner kick in the 38th minute allowed Wood to head home and pull a goal back.
Kilwinning made a positive start to the second half but Truesdale put daylight between the sides just after the hour mark courtesy of an emphatic finish at the end of a flowing move.
It was essentially game over nine minutes later when Truesdale escaped everyone's attention at the back post to turn home a wicked corner kick delivery.
Kirkpatrick made it 6-2 in the 83rd minute and only the crossbar denied sub Jordan Allan making it seven.
The home support had something to cheer in the final minute when Collins' strike from 15 yards ricocheted off a Vale defender and wrong-footed goalkeeper Chris Truesdale before nestling in the net.
Darvel's next game is at home to SPFL giants Aberdeen in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup on Monday, January 23.
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