As far as bouncing back is concerned, St Roch's did so supremely on Saturday with what may prove to be a highly significant 1-0 victory over Central First Division title rivals Cambuslang Rangers.

Manager Andy Cameron threw down the gauntlet to his players in the wake of last weekend’s shock defeat at home to Forth Wanderers.

And they rose to the challenge as a first half John Sweeney goal clinched the points.

This was only the second time in 13 league starts that the freescoring Wee Gers had failed to find the net - the other was a 1-0 defeat by the Candy Rock back in September.

Yet they can have few complaints as their hitherto prolific scoring edge was blunted by a defensive shield put up in front of visiting goalkeeper John Stark that was built on the no-nonsense approach of John Carter, Stephen Bryson, James McKnight and Jason McCormick.

The pressure exerted by the home side to get back on level terns - particularly second half - led to the sight of up to eight St Roch's players having to defend their penalty area at times.

However, their goal crucially remained intact, much to the disappointment of Cambuslang gaffer Paul McColl.

He said: "We camped in their box for long periods but just didn’t have the creative spark - or stroke of luck - that was needed to break them down.

“Indeed, our best chance to equalise came late in the first half when Deco (Thomas Kilmartin) has gone clear only to pull his shot wide of target.

“If that effort had gone in then I don’t believe we would have lost the game because the only other scoring opportunities for St Roch's came about from hitting us on the break when we had committed lots of bodies forward.

“Neither did it help our cause for George Scott to be red-carded for a sliding tackle challenge just ten minutes after coming on as a substitute and I feel that was a harsh decision.

“Losing to our nearest challengers is not to my liking, but nobody would have believed this time last season that Cambuslang Rangers would be playing in the first division and leading it by six points going into the New Year so for that very reason I won’t be too hard on my players.”

The only goal of the game arrived in 37 minutes following a calamitous boob by Wee Gers centre-back Mark Bishop whose attempted back header to goalkeeper Ian Stewart only found the lurking John Sweeney and he converted with ease to the acclaim of the vociferous Candy Rock supporters.

Match-winning midfielder Sweeney who passed up a glorious 89th minute opportunity to double his and his side’s tally revealed ,

“Cambuslang have been scoring for fun so the gaffer deliberately set our stall out to be very tight and disciplined at the back and you would have to say he got his tactics spot on .

“Deco, Liam Gormley Jamie McLeod and the newcomer Dale Simeon are all skilful types and dangerous going forward yet very little was seen of them throughout the game and if anything St Roch's looked the more likely team to score again.

“My own chance was a classic case of being caught in two minds and I should have hit the ball earlier and with my left foot."

St Roch's now find themselves clear in second top spot much to the delight of team boss Cameron who summed up his thoughts afterwards.

“It was always going to take a top notch performance to get the better of this very good Cambuslang Rangers side and thankfully we got that from the players today.

“Their determination not to finish 2016 with back-to-back defeats or to let down our fabulous supporters who were there in numbers today was evident from the first whistle and I couldn’t be happier.”

St Roch's have opened up a two-point advantage over third-placed Larkhall Thistle for whom Brian Jack scored to earn a 1-0 lead at home to Greenock only for veteran Willie McLureyo level matters at 1-1 with a sublime free kick goal.

Six points is now the gap separating the leading trio from a chasing pack headed up by Wishaw whose 2-0 defeat of Neilston came on the back of goals from Joe McCafferty and Ross McGeachie.

Yet another Glasgow based club wearing the mantle of league leaders with no little pride are the Billy Adams steered Glasgow Perthshire who extended their lead atop the Central Second Division after goals from Davie Kirkwood, Ryan Gemmell(2) and Scott Forrester racked up a 4-1 win at home to Gartcairn whose third top placing is now under threat from fast improving Carluke Rovers had Greg Fernie and Peter Lynn on target to defeat Royal Albert 2-0 while John Brogan’s young Yowes side ran out 2-1 winners against East Kilbride Thistle thanks to David Bannerman and Kieron McGurk scores.

The city derby between St Anthony's and Ashfield finished all-square at 1-1 with Kris Griffin firing the visitors ahead at McKenna Park only for his goal to be cancelled out by Kieron Maxwell.

Weekend results:

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Beith 2 Arthurlie 0, Rob Roy 1 Cumnock 0, Troon 0 Auchinleck Talbot 3, Glenafton 1 Kilwinning Rangers 0, Kilbirnie Ladeside 2 Hurlford Utd 2,Pollok 4 Largs Thistle 1.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Shotts Bon Accord 3 Irvine Vics 1, Clydebank 1 Kilsyth Rangers 4, Renfrew 6 Blantyre Vics 1, Girvan 2 Cumbernauld Utd 0, Maryhill 2 Yoker Athletic 4, Irvine Meadow 1 Petershill 1.

McBookie.com Central First Division

Wishaw 2 Neilston 0, Cambuslang Rangers 0 St Roch's 1, Benburb 4 Johnstone Burgh 0, Vale of Clyde 1 Thorniewood Utd 1 , Larkhall Thistle 1 Greenock 1, Forth Wanderers 3 Rossvale 3.

McBookie.com Central Second Division. Glasgow Perthshire. 4 Gartcairn 1, Lanark Utd 2 East Kilbride Thistle 1, Vale of Leven 0 Dunipace 0, St Anthony's 1 Ashfield 1, Carluke Rovers 2 Royal Albert 0 .

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Kello Rovers 1 Annbank Utd 0, Ardrossan Winton Rovers 3 Saltcoats Vics 0, Dalry Thistle 1 Lugar Boswell 0, Whitletts Vics 4 Muirkirk 2, Craigmark 0 Darvel 2, Maybole 3 Ardeer Thistle 0.