East Kilbride opened up a three-point gap at the top of the Lowland League tonight after a 4-1 Lanarkshire derby win over Caledonian Braves.
A Chris Erskine strike in the opening 60 seconds fired Kilby in front at K-Park before former EK striker Ross McNeil pulled the visitors level on his first start of the season.
However, the hosts regained the lead when Paul Paton fired home and Craig Malcolm bundled the ball into the net from a corner five minutes before the break after Kyle Hutton's header fell to him in the box.
Fifteen minutes from time EK made absolutely sure of the points when Erskine set up substitute Darren Smith to slot the ball into the net.
Stevie Aitken's men have now gone nine games unbeaten and the victory inflicted a fourth league defeat in five games for Ricky Waddell's Braves, who remain 14th in the table.
Kilby are three points clear of Bonnyrigg Rose, who beat basement boys Vale of Leithen 5-0 to move into second spot, having played a game more.
The current top two now meet at New Dundas Park on Saturday, while Braves have another Lanarkshire derby lined up when they travel to Broadwood to take on Cumbernauld Colts.
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