Ricky Hanvey admitted he rode his luck from the spot after firing Kilwinning Rangers to three fantastic festive points in a 1-0 win over Auchinleck Talbot.
The skipper’s winning goal came in 47 minutes after Buffs were awarded a penalty following a handball by Graham Wilson.
Hanvey’s effort was brilliantly saved by Talbot keeper Andy Leishman but he stayed alive to rattle home the rebound.
And the midfielder admitted: “I tried to give the keeper the eyes to be honest but I think he’s switched on with things like that!
“I was lucky to get the rebound but happy to stick it away.
“Winning is massive for us going into the Christmas break. We needed something like that to kick us on again.”
This West of Scotland League Premier Division match failed to live up to to its billing in a scrappy first half with chances scarce at either end.
Talbot’s Jamie Glasgow was first to threaten with a shot that found the side netting in five minutes.
At the other end, Kieron Wood blazed over from six yards after a corner kick delivery came through a ruck of bodies and dropped at his feet.
But it took until the 43rd minute for the first save of note to be made; Leishman getting down to smother Ally McColm’s drilled effort from the edge of the box.
Buffs replaced injured striker David Ramsay with winger Gavin Millar at the break and there was definitely more urgency about Chris Strain’s side in the second half.
Wilson’s handball from a corner kick gave Hanvey his chance to put the home side in front from the spot.
Leishman guessed correctly, diving to his right to get a strong hand to the ball, but he then lost sight of it, allowing Hanvey to nip in and apply the finishing touch.
Talbot’s biggest threat came from set-peices as they pushed for an equaliser but Buffs goalkeeper Jamie Barclay defied them on several occassions, pulling off a couple of notable reflex stops.
Millar went closest to adding a killer second for Kilwinning when he skinned two Talbot defenders and bent a shot just wide of the post.
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
