ABERDOUR coach Lisa MacColl has urged her stars to produce another "360 minutes of hard work" that could carry them to shinty's second tier.

The battling Silver Sands side bounced back from their first loss of the South Division One season at Kyles Athletic seconds by winning 4-2 at Inveraray on Saturday to maintain their push for the title.

With just four matches to go, only goal difference separates second-placed 'Dour from leaders Oban Celtic and with the duo set to meet on August 20, the West Fifers' destiny is in their own hands.

A place in the National Division is now a real possibility for Aberdour, who were without ill goalkeeper Tom Bowerman but welcomed back the influential Finlay Williamson from suspension.

Aberdour started well and Alec Mitchell's strong hitting and fitness was instrumental in a fluid performance, and within minutes Roddy MacColl was denied by the home goalkeeper after some good link-up play from the forwards.

The hosts though shocked 'Dour by taking the lead with their first effort at goal through the unmarked Andy Stewart after five minutes, only for Angus Thorburn to finish off a well-worked passing move to level 20 minutes later.

He then turned provider six minutes later, driving at the Inveraray defence before releasing the ball to MacColl, who fired the ball into the net.

A miss-hit out of defence was punished by Stewart five minutes before half-time as he pulled the home team level, but in a hard-fought second half, Aberdour went back in front through Thorburn in the 65th minute before MacColl completed his double late-on.

Coach MacColl said: "I felt we controlled most of the game in the first half and Alec Mitchell is a strong hitter and fit, which helped link the defence and forwards. That was instrumental but the team performance was really good and everyone gave 100 per cent. We had better communication up front which made a huge difference and, because of that, we were quicker and more fluid in our play.

"There are only four games left and we just need to maintain the commitment with a consistent team turnout and desire to win. We need to take one game at a time but all we're asking from the boys is for another 360 minutes of hard work, and they have got it in them.

"If we keep playing like that then you never know what can happen."

This Saturday Aberdour host Col Glen in their final home league game of the season at Silver Sands, with throw-up at 12pm. The club's seconds are also in action as they travel to Kilmory in South Division Two. Throw-up in that match is at 2pm.