Benburb boss Paul Lovering is setting his sights on making an impact in the Central First Division next season but without making wholesale changes to his playing squad.

The Bens assured themselves of promotion by finishing as Second Division runners-up on Saturday after goals from John Boyle (2), Andy Wright and Fraser Macaulay brought about a 4-1 victory over Newmains United in the Govan club’s final league game of the season.

And fledgling gaffer Lovering - he only took up the New Tinto Park helm from dad Frank last summer - gave all the credit to his players.

He said: "I always felt we had it in our locker to get up even though the start of April had the odds firmly stacked us given our run-in included six away games that were played consecutively as it turned out.

“But the guys performed fantastically well to win all but one of those fixtures and I have to applaud every single player in the squad for doing their bit to get us over the line.

“It was no easy ask with fully seven teams in the hunt for the top three places during the past few weeks so I’m absolutely delighted to go up even as second best to Forth Wanderers who it should be said have proved themselves to be worthy champions.

”There were a lot of top sides at second division level this season so to finish where we did is a great feat.”

Emerging striker Ryan Livingston’s displays have caught the eye in the Govan club’s league campaign however Lovering reckons the contribution of a couple of older heads is also worthy of mention.

He added: "First and foremost, it has been a team effort, but Sinky Soutar coming on board at Christmas time undoubtedly helped stiffen us defensively.

"And neither should we overlook what the former Airdrie and Auchinleck Talbot frontman John Boyle brought to the party in recent weeks .

“His seven goals in just eight games made a difference and is only to be expected from someone of his outstanding qualities.

“John agreed to help us out as a favour to myself as we are friends from our time together at Airdrie and I would love to keep him at the club but realise he is going to be on the radar of top Junior sides in the East and West Regions.

“I know he’s enjoyed his time here and hopefully that may persuade him to sign up for next season as I feel strongly that going with the vast majority of the same guys again will stand us in good stead.”

Meanwhile, striker substitute Robert Love gave a shot in the arm to Auchinleck Talbot’s hopes of retaining their Super Premier Division crown when he came off the bench to net two late goals and salvage a 2-2 Bellsdale Park draw against ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup finalists Beith last night.

A major upset had looked on the cards when Johnny Millar’s men came roaring out of the blocks and a sweetly hit Darren Christie volley from the edge of the penalty box fired them 1-0 in front with just six minutes played .

Their deserved advantage was duly doubled before half time when Craig McCracken’s woefully short pass back was pounced upon by lively Beith forward Thomas Collins and he set up team mate David McGowan to net from close range.

A more determined Talbot went for broke in the second half but it was the introduction of ex-Cumnock front man Robert Love that made the crucial difference as he slotted home a low shot in 82 minutes to halve his side’s deficit and his sharpness again told just minutes later when he pounced on a loose ball to fire home for 2-2.

Talbot’s lapse in dropping two points could have been even costlier but for title challengers Hurlford United only managing a 1-1 draw at home to Glenafton which leaves Darren Henderson’s side needing to win outstanding fixtures with Irvine Meadow and Troon to set up a Blair Park decider against Auchinleck.

Meanwhile , Largs Thistle failed to extend their lead atop the Super First Division pile in playing out a 0-0 stalemate with Ardrossan Winton Rovers but there was no such hiccup for title challengers Cumnock who came from 1-0 down to beat Greenock 2-1 with goals from Kerr Samson and Del Esplin.

And congratulations are in order for Girvan whose 3-0 defeat of Kello Rovers through David Cunningham , David Jardine and Craig Reid scores ensured Peter Leonard’s side would finish as Ayrshire District League champions.