'That was for John': Strain dedicates win to former Buffs boss John Evans

Strain’s side bounced back from their 2-1 defeat to Largs Thistle the previous week with a 4-2 victory over Premier Division strugglers Cumbernauld United on Saturday.

A brace from David Ramsay and goals from Jamie Whyte and Carlo Monti ensured the Buffs would get back to winning ways as they moved up to seventh in the table.

Strain said: “John kick started a revolution. He was in at the start of Allan McLuckie’s era and John’s known personally to me through being a manager when my dad was a coach at Ardeer and I know John and his family well.

“He was a pillar within the community not just at the club but throughout the whole town. He was a well-known man and it is sad that somebody with that standing in the community has passed on.

“My thoughts have to go to his family because he was ill over the last while and he will be missed around the football club.

“It acted as motivation especially for myself. A lot of the players would not have known John but John’s son is commercial manager at the club and we feel the pain of his loss so from my point of view there was obviously a motivation to go and win the game.

“When the players cross the line, these things tend to drift but it was reiterated to them that we need to make sure we remember people who have had an important input into our past.”

While Strain was pleased with the three points, he believes his side’s performances must improve.

He said: “It was important to get the result following on from the defeat last week, which we did do.

“However, I felt we made heavy weather of it and there is still a lot of work for us to do to get to the level that I expect us to be at.

“The players looked flat in the first-half and I wanted more in terms of energy and commitment and we certainly got a response, especially when the game went to 2-2 they upped the gears.”

This Saturday the Buffs face Hurlford United at home.