Neilston co-manager Martin Campbell was impressed with his side’s character after they fought back from a goal down to win 3-1 against Girvan in their opening match in the new West Region Championship.

Newly promoted Farmer’s Boys slipped behind after just seven minutes but they did well to bounce back and take all three points against the Seasiders.

Campbell said: “I’m definitely happy with the character shown to bounce back from going a goal down. Their goal was against the run of play early on and we only let them in after a sloppy mistake. We didn’t defend from a throw in and they cut us open, that was disappointing and something to work on but the boys came back strong and we scored quite quickly after that. It was important to get the quick equaliser and we controlled it from there.

“It’s a good start for us and it gives us some confidence but we won’t get carried away.”

“They got relegated from the premier league just last season and we’ve just came up to League One so hopefully that’s laid down a marker.”

The hosts started brightly and opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Craig Harvey finished from inside the area.

But Campbell’s side responded quickly to equalise just 10 minutes later when Paul Young rose well to head home from a Lewis Lovering corner.

It was end-to-end stuff with Mark Blakey going close for Neilston before Girvan’s Andrew Hunter headed wide. 

The visitors piled on the pressure and took the lead to round off a strong first 45 after the in-form Alan Frizzell finished from a tight angle to fire his side ahead.

Neither team looked dangerous in a scrappy start to the second half but substitute Dylan Fletcher almost scored with his first touch but he couldn’t find the target with his headed effort.

Neilston were the better side, however, and sealed the victory thanks to Paul Stewart’s late third which sent the Brig O’ Lea side up the road with all three points.

Campbell added: “I thought Girvan were decent but we were the better team on the day. We played reasonably well and played the majority of the game in their half. It was a very pleasing way to start the season and it was good to get down to Girvan on the first day - a lot of teams won’t enjoy going down there in the winter. 

“This is the bread and butter stuff for us now. This is what all the pre-season hard work was all about - and even the League Cup. We’ve settled down now and hopefully we can put a wee challenge in the league.”