Clydebank and Kilwinning Rangers were breathing more easily last night after posting hugely significant victories in the battle to secure promotion from the Super First Division.

The high flying duo - set to lock horns at Abbey Park this coming Saturday – were the big winners on the Junior midweek fixtures card with second-top Bankies triumphing 5-3 in a quite sensational tussle with Blantyre Vics at Holm Park.

While the third-placed Buffs were registering a resounding and possibly pivotal 5-1 success at home to fierce step-up rivals Cumnock.

Blantyre suffered an early blow against Clydebank when experienced midfielder Lee McShane received his marching orders for allegedly gesturing to home supporters.

However, his depleted team-mates made light of his dismissal by racing into a 1-0 lead through a Shaun Gallagher score.

But the Bankies levelled matters approaching half time when Nikky Little converted from the penalty spot after Stevie Young was sent crashing inside the penalty area.

Razor-sharp frontman Young was first to react to the rebound from an Andy Patterson shot to fire the home side ahead early in the second half, but the plucky Vics responded with a headed Craig Buchanan equaliser at a corner kick for 2-2.

Bankies stopper Alan Vezza then got in on the act by heading home for 3-2 only for Vics midfielder Darren McLean to counter with a header of his own.

However, Vezza’s aerial ability was again to the fore as he rose highest at yet another set piece to head Clydebank into a 4-3 lead and the scoring was then rounded off by a deflected Greg Cree shot.

Two recent drawn contests between Ayrshire pair Kilwinning and Cumnock had promised yet another close fought affair and this was borne out by an opening 45minutes which saw the teams go inside with the scoreline finely poised at 0-0.

But there was nothing close about a second period where Kilwinning netted five times through through Ross Stewart(2), Ian Cashmore and Bryan Boylan (2) goals while Aidan Malone bagged Cumnock’s consolation counter.

At the other end of the table, Ardrossan Winton Rovers boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop as Dean Richardson’s first minute goal secured a 1-0 victory away to Rutherglen Glencairn.

In other games , Ayrshire Cup holders Hurlford United exited this season’s competition when losing out 4-2 in a thriller at Beith for whom ex-Hurlford ace Calum Watt netted the match-winning goal after the visiting Ford had fought back from 3-0 down to tie the game at 3-3 with ten minutes remaining.

Irvine Vics were another notable winner as doubles from Kevin Adams and Eddie Ablohr brought a 4-0 win at home to Largs Thistle.

Euroscot Eng Cup kingpins Thorniewood United are refusing to relinquish their hold on the silverware after coming from 2-0 down against higher league Shettleston to win 3-2 with counters from Chris Lennon (2) and Daniel McNulty and also through to the last 16 are Rob Roy for whom Ross Barbour, Lee Gallagher and Gavin Mackie were on target in a 3-0 defeat of Renfrew.

Elsewhere, Central First Division outfit Maryhill edged themselves to the brink of promotion with a nervy 1-0 victory over Vale of Clyde at Fullarton Park.

And Jim Delaneys’s men did things the hard way in coming back from an early red card for Paul McLelland and needing a superb Grant Hay penalty save to pave the way for Frankie Owns to blast home an unstoppable shot that ensures the Hill will be promoted if they win Saturday’s final league match away to Johnstone Burgh.