Mark Holland gave the Reds a third minute advantage after stand-in keeper David Wilton hesistated in gathering a cross and was duly dispossessed by Holland who wasted no time in stroking the ball home from close range.

The visitors might have levelled after a quarter-of-an-hour only for Ryan Catney to sidefoot wide when well placed.

Paul Muir eventually did equalise for the Whites on 22 minutes with a well struck left-foot free-kick from the edge of the area after Barry Johnston had brought down Andrew Waterworth.

Paul Kirk's side were reduced to ten men six minutes from the break when Darren Armour picked up a straight red card after elbowing Reds defender Ronan Scannell.

And it got worse for the Whites four minutes later when a George McMullan near post header from a Declan O'Hara cross handed the hosts a half-time lead.