CUMNOCK bounced back from their shambolic hammering at the hands of Kilwinning with six points in two days to maintain their title hopes.

John McKeown's side were thumped 5-1 against Kilwinning last midweek, but the Nock boss was left pleased with his sides recovery as he watched them secure back to back victories against Bellshill and Greenock to keep up the pace.

The Townhead side headed to Bellshill and took all three points thanks to goals from Aiden Malone and Keir Samson.

They were then back in action once again on Monday as they sealed a close 2-1 win against Greenock at Rosebank Park on Monday evening with goals from Keir Samson and Del Esplin.

Cumnock boss was thrilled at his sides recovery after their Kilwinning wobble. He said: "I had some harsh words to say to the players after the Kilwinning game, but the players knew it wasn't good enough. We just didn't perform."

McKeown was thrilled to see youngster Samson get on the score sheet in both games since the defeat. He added: "He has been a great lad to have in the team and he just listens to everything that you tell him. He has chipped in with a couple of important goals and he's been playing very well."

The Townhead boss is hopeful that he can keep the Stranraer loanee in to next season. He added: "Keir has made it quite clear that he would like to come back next season. He's a local lad so he knows what the club is all about and we'd be keen to have him next season as well so I'm hoping to have a word with his manager at Stranraer at the end of the season and see if we can sort something out."

There's no rest for McKeown's side though, as they have two more tough league fixtures this week. They head to Blantyre on Wednesday evening to take on sixth placed Vics before they host title rivals Clydebank at Rosebank Park on Saturday.