ROB ROY proved their title credentials on Saturday by delivering a rapid response to their shock Scottish Cup first-round exit.

The Super Premier Division tabletoppers were left numb by their defeat to lower league Wishaw.

But the perfect pick-me-up was secured by Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Troon that not only eased the Rabs four points clear of the chasing pack atop the standings, but was all the more notable for Stewart Maxwell’s side battling back from 1-0 down to clinch the spoils.

However, the scars from the disappointing cup reverse were clearly still raw when Maxi attempted to put his finger on the reasons for the Kirkintilloch outfit’s Jekyll and Hyde performances.

He said: "Complacency has been given as the root cause for our cup exit, but it's absolute nonsense as we afforded Wishaw every respect by fielding the same team that had won a top of the table clash against Hurlford United in our previous outing.

“We were not at our best but credit belongs to a Wishaw team that showed skill and spirit in abundance on the day and fully deserved to go through, so it really is time to put all talk of the Scottish Junior Cup to bed.

“This backdrop piled a lot of extra pressure on my players and made it a difficult week for them heading into the Troon game and it was no real surprise for us to look out of sorts in the early stages and fall a goal behind.

“But inspired by Chris Duff's wing play - he was simply unplayable for the next hour or so - aided and abetted by the excellent Danny McKenzie’s supporting runs, we came roaring back to equalise with a superb Willie Sawyers header before Duff’s shot was deflected into his own net by the Troon midfielder Colin Spence.

“Probably our only black mark following the initial 15 minutes was Jonathan Carter ‘s penalty kick at 0-1 being saved by Ally Semple for what was our seventh missed spot kick in a row.

“Two good footballing sides produced a great advert for the Juniors and Troon will be disappointed to lose but I felt we just edged things on the back of a much improved second half display and gave ourselves the ideal bounce back from last week.”

Maxi rang the changes against the Ayrshiremen with no-nonsense stopper Davie Barr stepping in to replace the injured Danny Boyle as well as recalls for goalkeeper Jordan Brown and for old head Gary McMenamin and former Campsie Black Watch starlet Jordan McGuire in midfield.

The Rabs gaffer said: “Gary’s composure and experience were very influential in helping us dominate possession while young Jordan was not in the slightest overawed in making his first league start and I also felt our Sawyers and Kevin Watt up front provided an uncomfortable afternoon for Troon’s superb centre-back pairing of Dean Keenan and Gavin Collins.

“Right now Watt has few if any peers playing at the very top of his game and I’d be utterly gobsmacked if they picked a Junior Scotland squad without him in it.”

The league leaders are on the road to Barrhead this coming weekend to face an Arthurlie side without a win in their last five league outings.

Maxi admitted: "Arthurlie are always formidable in their own backyard and it’s not that long ago since they were top of the pile themselves so I believe they are just going through a blip in form.

“Downsy knows the game and will turn things around though I sincerely hope his revival is delayed for a week or so.

“I’ll be making no silly predictions other than to say we’ll try to give it our best shot.”

The weekend also saw Super First leading lights Kilsyth Rangers yield up their top spot placing following a 4-1 reverse at the hands of near neighbours Cumbernauld united for whom Dylan McGuigan , Stephen McDonald, Stephen Mullen and Dominic O’Halloran were on the mark.

The result lifted United to within three points of the summit, however unassuming gaffer John Queen moved to quell rising expectations among supporters.

He said: "Consistency is the key and best we keep a lid on things until an every bit as difficult a test coming up this week when Kilwinning Rangers are through at Guys Meadow.”

Meanwhile, delighting over their recent acquisition of former striker Yami Misanjo from Albion Rovers are Central First Division top guns Rossvale who ran out 2-0 Scottish Junior Cup winners against Pumpherston on Saturday.

Team boss Martin Lauchlan said: "You would have thought Yami had never been away from the club.

“We opted to throw him in to start the game and the gamble paid off because he score one goal, and was brought down for the penalty kick scored by Chris McQuade."