East Kilbride edged past Bo'ness United to pick up their first victory of the season - and get Chris Aitken's spell in caretaker charge off to the perfect start.
The K-Park outfit had gone eight games without a win in all competitions and saw manager Stevie Aitken - Chris' brother - resign on Tuesday following the club's worst-ever start to a campaign.
However, Craig Malcolm's early goal after new signing James Finlay's strike had hit the post proved enough to stop the rot and give title hopefuls Kilby - who started the day in 16th spot - hope of turning their season around.
Aitken named latest recruit Finlay in the starting 11 after he completed his m ove from West of Scotland League outfit Rossvale yesterday.
Kilby's injuries woes were laid bare with a bench that featured just three fit outfield players, all from their development team, and goalkeeper Jacob Kean. The likes of Gregg Wylde, Cammy Elliott and Joao Victoria are remain among the string of sidelined stars.
Among the visiting squad was Devon Jacobs, who will be familiar to followers of Stirling Albion and Berwick Rangers, with ex-Clyde and Annan striker Matty Flynn among the substitutes.
The hosts had the first attempt on goal inside six minutes when Jamie Stevenson's free-kick forced United keeper Andrew Murphy into a good stop down low.
But just three minutes later the opening goal arrived. Man of the match Finlay was sent down the left by Neil McLaughlin as United claimed in vain for offside. The new signing curled a strike towards the far corner and when his effort came back off the post, Malcolm was on hand to tap home the rebound from close range.
Just shy of the half-hour mark another free-kick brought out a good save from Murphy, as Ciaran McAninch tried his luck with well-struck effort 25-yards out.
Moments later Bo'ness had a golden chance to level things up when Zander Miller beat the offside trap down the right-hand side, but he blazed his effort over the bar one-on-one with Conor Brennan in the Kilby goal.
Brennan didn't cover himself in glory from a Bo'ness corner when he completely misjudged Thomas Grant's cross and missed the ball as he attempted to punch clear. The rebound fell for Greg Skinner and only a sea of bodies in blue and gold blocked him from hammering home an equaliser.
In the second half, Finlay had a golden chance to open his account in 66 minutes when Erskine's ball across goal fell to him - only for the striker to have a fresh-air swipe and save Bo'ness from falling two behind.
There was little goalmouth action after the break, but Malcolm almost added a second when he saw a glancing header flash wide of the far post after 83 minutes.
United pushed for a leveller and in the 89th minute Miller thought he had found it when he slotted home at the near post, but he was flagged for offside.
In the end, EK held firm for their first clean sheet of the season.
Kilby are back in action on Wednesday night when they travel to bottom of the table Vale Of Leithen, who are pointless after their opening seven games,
EAST KILBRIDE: Brennan, McAninch, Brady, Stevenson, Old, Rodgers, McLaughlin, Millar (Connor 71), Malcolm, Erskine, Finlay (Fellowes 78).
Scorers: Malcolm 9
Bookings: Rodgers, McLaughlin, Erskine
Subs not used: McLuckie, Kean
BO'NESS UNITED: Murphy, Stevenson, Skinner, Hunter, Grant, Comrie (Allan 23), Miller, Galbraith, McMullan (Anderson 66), MacAuley, McKenzie (Flynn 73).
Bookings: Grant, Galbraith, Allan
Subs not used: McCormack, Hawkins, Gillespie.
HT: 1-0
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