Girvan F.C. 3 Port Glasgow 2

The Seasiders came from a goal down to record the three points in their first game back in the First Division.

Two second-half goals from Steven Shankland and a Kevin Biggart penalty were enough to hold off last season's Central League First Division champions.

Billy Thomson's men fell behind after nine minutes when Kevin Struthers' low cross deceived everyone inside the box and ended up in the back of the net.

Falling a goal behind certainly seemed to wake Girvan from a slow start and they started to apply some pressure on their visitors.

Kriss Mitchell headed just past the post from Kevin Biggart's free-kick after 17 minutes and five minutes later Tony Murphy's first-time effort from Danny Cunningham's cross flew just over the bar.

David McVittie then went on a mazy run into the box where he squared the ball back to Shankland but his shot was well stopped.

Seven minutes before the interval Girvan drew level. Again McVittie's trickery with the ball at his feet was too much for the Port Glasgow defence and he was brought down in the area by Gary Loughran.

Biggart stepped up to bring his side level and reward them for their sustained period of pressure after falling behind so early on in the game.

Both sides tried to gain the upper hand in the early stages of the second-half but neither side were creating any clear goal-scoring opportunities.

It was beggining to look like one goal would settle the game and Girvan got their noses in front with 15 minutes to go.

Again McVittie was involved when he cut in from the flank and delivered the ball into the area.

A good old-fashioned goalmouth scramble ensued and the ball broke to Shankland just yards out who prodded the ball home.

But the scoring didn't stop there. With just 10 minutes to go Shankland was picked out by Michael Moffat's cross on the penalty spot and he calmly picked his spot to make it three.

'The Undertakers' did pull one back right at the death (excuse the pun) when substitute Scott Nugent headed home at the back post.

It turned out to be the last action of the game as the full-time whistle was blown immediately afterwards.

This was an ideal start for Thomson's men who will be looking to push on from here in the rest of the season.