SUPER First Division champions Girvan suffered their first league defeat of the season on Saturday as they went down 5-3 away to a highly-rated Kilwinning Rangers side.

But manager Peter Leonard is still encouraged with their progress so far in what is their first season in the Premier Division and can take positives from an improved second half display.

He said: "It was difficult for us as we had our three central defenders Michael Mossie, Stephen O'Donnell and John Frame all missing so we had to play striker Darren Mitchell upfront.

"Kilwinning just stayed up last season but they have strengthened over the summer and have lot of pace with David Winters and Ryan Nisbet upfront and Carlo Monti just behind them. They scored a couple of early goals and it looked like we would go in at half-time just 3-1 down but they scored just before the break. I told the players to go out and win the second half and they did that.

"We have done not badly in the other games, drawing against Pollok, Arthurlie and Kilbirnie Ladeside."

Saturday sees Girvan heading north to face Brora Rangers in the first round of The William Hill Scottish Cup.

The players will head up by train on Friday night to allow them to prepare properly for the game, while coaching staff, committee members and fans will head by bus first thing Saturday.

Leonard said: "Brora are a good side and are third in the Highland League so it's going to be a test for us. But we only lost 2-1 at home to Huntly last season and played well. We will give it a go and if we could bring them back for a replay that would be a fantastic achievement."

Frame and Mossie should return for the game.