PAISLEY Pirates defeated the reigning SNL champions Kirkcaldy Kestrels 3-1 to continue their flawless start to the season.

Pirates had to bide their time but once again clinched the match in the final session in Kirkcaldy on Sunday night.

In a tight opening period, both netminders — Meechan for the visitors and Little for the hosts — saw regular action at their ends of the ice.

But it was Pirates who got their noses in front in the 14th minute as Miller linked with Orr and Wilson to score on the powerplay after Kestrels had been called for having too many men on the ice.

Chances came at both ends before the teams went to the dressing rooms after 20 minutes with the visitors 1-0 up.

The pattern of play continued in the second period, with goalies and defences equal to the pressure placed on them.

But at the half way point it was the turn of the hosts to get on the board as Floyd shot past Meechan to tie the scores.

The Pirates netminder was the busier of the two and Meechan made several good saves to keep parity going into the final session.

Both sides came out for the last session knowing that the first team to score would have a crucial advantage in what had been a tight game.

To the delight of the travelling support, it went the way of the visitors as Wilson netted on the powerplay in the 48th minute, from Miller and Orr, to put them ahead.

The penalties were beginning to flow at regular intervals as both teams pushed for a vital marked, but after Pirates had played off no fewer than three minors, they got the crucial third goal with four minutes left as David Orr netted an unassisted goal to tie up the points.

Pirates now face another difficult tie at home to North Ayrshire Wild in a local derby this coming Sunday, the match facing off at 6pm at the Braehead Arena.

Scorers: Orr (1+2), Miller & Wilson (both 1+1) Penalties: Orr (4), Jordan, Crute, Wilson & Hassan (all 2) Shots on Goal: On Pirates (Meechan) 29 On Kestrels (Little) 33 Man Of the Match: Graeme Meechan.