STEWART MAXWELL says Rob Roy's resounding 4-0 victory over promotion rivals Shettleston last night is the perfect response to dropping two points in a disappointing 0-0 weekend draw against Neilston.

Maxi was ecstatic in the immediate aftermath of his side putting 10-man Town to the sword - Leon Juskowiack was sent off in just 26 minutes for two yellow-card offences - with a scintillating final 20 minutes at Greenfield Park.

The departure of inspirational skipper Juskowiack after he had averted two certain Rabs goals with timely interventions was a real hammer blow to Hugh Kelly's men, even though they regrouped to good effect and managed - with the aid of the woodwork keeping out a sizzling Thomas Collins drive - to reach half-time with a 0-0 scoreline.

But there was only ever going to be one winner from the minute Rabs midfielder Gary McMenamin fired home the opening goal in 72 minutes with a left-foot drive from 15 yards following a Willie Sawyers run and cross.

The floodgates were now opened and Josh Flood raced clear only to be upended by home goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell to earn a penalty kick which was tucked away with aplomb by the impressive Kevin Watt for 2-0.

The on-loan Clyde striker added a third goal with a great right-foot strike and another of the Rabs top performers on the night, teenager Thomas Collins, added the coup de grace with a shot that found the net off the post to clinch a 4-0 success.

Maxi said: "Those people who felt our promotion challenge was wilting will have to think again because that was as good a display as we have served up this season.

"This is not an easy place to visit. Shettleston are no pushovers, but we took full advantage of our numerical advantage to rack up a terrific win.

"But now comes the test of character in showing we can kick on and play just as well when we face Yoker on Wednesday night."

Disappointed Town gaffer Kelly was in no doubt about the game's turning point.

He insisted: "A lot of decisions went against us tonight, but none more so than Leon's dismissal, and I thought our players battled their corner magnificently from then on."

Cumbernauld United reaffirmed their desire to gain an automatic step-up place by running out 2-0 winners at home to Rutherglen Glencairn through Scott Murphy and Scott McHaffie counters.