Reigning Ayrshire amateur champions Glenburn MW kicked off the defence of their title with a competitive 2-1 victory away at Stewarton Annick. 

The Prestwick side beat out South Ayrshire rivals Annbank to the title by a single point after a title race which went right down to the wire.

They started strong on the Astroturf of the Rose Reilly Sports Centre in East Ayrshire, with Ross Steele having a chance inside 30 seconds as he came in from the right and forced a good save from Stewarton goalie Christopher Orr. 

Steele was at it again just minutes later, cutting inside and forcing another save from Orr on the half volley. 

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Stewarton finally got going and went up the other end, but Ryan Corkin couldn't keep his header down and it blazed over Glenburn bar.

The opening goal for the Prestwick side came after 17 minutes, when a deep cross to the back post was turned in by Steele after his early dangerous chances. 

Glenburn dominated the ball as the half continued, as they searched for a second goal to put them in control of the game. 

It came just before half time, when striker Mackenzie Corrigan was played through and his shot was parried into the path of Morgan Bird, who made no mistake with the empty net in front of him. 

(Image: Newsquest)

The start to the second half was interrupted by several injuries, and when the game finally kicked back into life, Stewarton equalised in simple fashion. 

A long ball over the top was not dealt with by the Glenburn defence, and George Thomson calmly collected the ball before finishing at the near post.

Annick were almost on level terms soon after, but Kier Miliken's chip over the goalkeeper could only dribble wide of the post.

Both sides pushed for the crucial next goal, and Stewarton stopped Orr produced a point blank save from Adam Lawrie to keep his side in the game.

However, Glenburn saw the game out to start off their title defence with a hard-fought win on the road.