Cumnock keep up fight in Premier Division

Jun 18 2008 Ayrshire Post

RICHIE Barr's lost passport was Cumnock’s gain on Monday night as they kept a toe-hold in the Premier Division.

Top gun Barr had been due to fly out on holiday and miss the crunch play-off double header against Kilwinning.

But he was grounded when he couldn’t find his passport.

And that turned to Cumnock’s advantage when he blasted a hat-trick as the Townhead men came from behind to win 3-1.

Boss Campbell Money joked: “I’ll be keeping his passport until after the second game at Abbey Park on Wednesday.

“We thought we were going to miss Richie but losing his passport turned out to be great news for us.”

Former Whitletts striker Jeff Howe headed Buffs in front from a free-kick before Barr’s treble turned the tables.

The second leg of the play-off is at Abbey Park on Wednesday this week.

Cumnock lost 3-1 to Pollok in the final of the Cup Winners’ Cup at Newlandsfield last Saturday.

Pollok struck first through Robert Downs but Michael Hughes levelled at the break. Second-half goals from David McGeown and Bryan Dingwall won it for the hosts.