Any victory on Saturday would have been warmly received by Ashfield supporters given the famous old Possil outfit’s standing at the end of last season as the fourth worst team in the Central Second Division.

But it would be no exaggeration to say the manner of their performance in running out 4-2 winners against two leagues better off Kilsyth Rangers as no less than eye-catching.

It should be said the much-hanged visitors do not have the look of a side that has the makings of a Super First Division force this time out.

However, that viewpoint must not be allowed to detract from the clear signs of progress within the Saracen Park dressing room.

Team boss Robert Docherty was away on an SFA coaching course instead of pacing his normal touchline beat, but he will be encouraged to hear the reports from his dugout lieutenants, one of whom Paul Maxwell made a scoring contribution in playing for the opening 45 minutes.

Maxi said: "Robert has been very selective in his choice of friendly opponents in going up against higher league teams on every occasion, yet the players have stepped up to the mark to win three and draw one of our four matches.

“I fully believed Kilsyth would provide our toughest test to date, but we blew them away and the key now is to carry our impressive early form when we get into the competitive stuff next Wednesday night.

“I know better than to get carried away with pre-season games but I will say there are signs of a decent Ashfield team coming to the fore.”

The home side were on the ascendancy from the first whistle yet the best of the early scoring opportunities came for Kilsyth as, firstly, Alan McFadden directed a shot wide of target, before Franny Kelly wastefully sent a rising shot over the crossbar.

Ashfield’s response was a well struck daisy-cutter from Michael Giblin in 39 minutes that came back off the post, but Maxi and Co were not denied for long as their next attacking foray saw experienced frontman Paddy Cullen take advantage of a slip by Kilsyth stopper Liam Sloan to fire the ball home from eight yards range.

And that advantage was to be crucially doubled before the interval as busy forward Chris Moulangu took possession near the corner flag and was criminally allowed to work his way into the penalty box where his driven cross was netted by the lurking Maxwell from point-blank range.

A confidence-boosting result looked in the bag when the hard-working Giblin made the scoreline read 3-0 with a mishit 66th-minute free kick that went through Kilsyth’s wall and slipped through goalkeeper Michael Duke’s grasp.

However, Kilsyth, with manager Keith Hogg introduced as a midfield substitute, were now being seen more as an attacking force and their fans had spirits lifted as McFadden and Scott Davidson netted goals in a frantic four minute period.

However, hopes of a dramatic comeback were dashed when a 86th minute Ashfield corner kick flicked on at the near post reached the unmarked Stevie Dymock who expertly volleyed home to clinch a 4-2 victory.

Losing boss Hogg said later: "We had players missing but I’m not going to make excuses because we just weren’t at the races out there and a lot of hard work lies in front of us.”

Goals were certainly not scarce in other pre-season friendly meetings taking place with Beith and Pollok netting five times against Girvan and Bonnyrigg Rose respectively, Irvine Meadow blasting six goals past Haddington Athletic and high- scoring Kilwinning Rangers hitting double figures in their clash with Rossvale.

Last season’s leading marksman Ross McPherson weighed in with a scoring brace and Keir Milliken, John Sheridan and Darren Christie also netted as the Mighty ominously went nap against their Super Premier Division rivals while Del Hepburn (2), Alan McKenzie, Ross Brash and an own goal saw Pollok resoundingly overcome last season’s beaten Scottish Cup semi-finalists.

Medda close season signings Eddie McTernan (3) and Daniel Mackay(2) were again on the mark at Haddington along with a counter from Ryan Begley and Buffs newcomers Michael Wardrope, David Winters(2) and Ryan Nisbet were among a total of seven scorers against the luckless Central First Division outfit

Hurlford United’s winning ways continued as goals from James Marks, Glenn Miller(2) and Ross Robertson saw the Ayrshirmen run out 4-0 winners at Rutherglen Glencairn while Clydebank trio Jordan Shelvey(2) Ross Forsyth and Alan Frizzell did the damage as the Bankies overcame Gartcairn 4-1 and that same scoreline sufficed as Cumnock striker Sean McKenzie ‘s pre-season tally rose to nine goals in three games after the ex-Ayr United man bagged a double at home to St Rochs.

Prolific scorer Graham Gracie accounted for both Larkhall Thistle’s goals in a 2-0 defeat of Whitletts Vics and Darren Jones and Jamie Benton goals helped Renfrew get the better of Arniston Rangers while Craig Patterson (2) and Jonny McStay were on target as Neilston beat Irvine Vics 3-0.

Graham Wilson fired home the only goal of the game for Auchinleck Talbot up at Bo’ness United and Rob Roy won an equally tight contest away to Jeanfield Swifts thanks to a Stefan Law score.

However, the apparent dominance of clubs from these parts was redressed by Linlithgow Rose restoring some of the East Region’s battered pride by putting leading lights Glenafton to the sword by a 5-3 scoreline.

Meanwhile, the inaugural Troon Juniors pre-season competition didn’t go according to plan as the hosts and fellow Junior participants Arthurlie lost out to the Under-20 sides of Kilmarnock and St Mirren in the opening head to heads while the fifth Dennis Donnelly Memorial game saw Benburb come out on top 2-1 against Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

WEEKEND RESULTS: Gartcairn 1 Clydebank4, Haddington Athletic 0 Irvine Meadow 6,Rossvale 0 Kilwinning Rangers 10, Vale of Leven v Dumbarton F.P’s, Neilston 3 Irvine Vics 0,Largs Thistle 1 Luncarty1, Whitletts Vics 0 Larkhall Thistle 2, Kello Rovers 5 Carluke Rovers 2, Ashfield 4 Kilsyth Rangers 2, Cumnock 4 St Roch's 1, Cambuslang Rangers 1 Dundonald Bluebell 2, Dunipace 1 Scone Thistle 4,Linlithgow Rose 5 Glenafton 3, Thorniewood Utd v Ardeer Thistle, Saltcoats Vics v Harestanes, Beith 5 Girvan 0, Glasgow Perthshire 3 Shettleston 1, Muirkirk v Newmains Utd, Rutherglen Glencairn 0 Hurlford Utd 4, Forth Wanderers v Bathgate Thistle , Port Glasgow 2 Maryhill 0, Bo’ness Utd 0 Auchinleck Talbot 1, Bonnyrigg Rose 3 Pollok5. Dennis Donnelly Memorial Shield.Benburb 2 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 1. Troon Juniors Tournament.:Troon 2 Kilmarnock Under 20’s 2 (Kilmarnock win 6-5 pens|), Arthurlie 0 St Mirren Under 20’s1.

PLAYING TONIGHT: St Anthony's v St Roch's.