Kilwinning Rangers scored twice in a 10 minute blitz to retain the Eglinton Cup and hand David Gormley his first trophy as boss.
Both goals in last night's pre-season affair came at the start of the second half, Brandon McEvoy netting from close range just 60 seconds in before substitute Dylan Mackin curled home a beauty of a strike with practically his first touch.
It was a deserved victory in the end but Kilwinning had goalkeeper Craig Gordon to thank for a couple of fine first half saves that stopped Meadow storming in front.
Gormley admitted he was pleased to put one over derby rivals Dow but played down the importance of the result ahead of the sides meeting for real on the opening day of the season later this month.
He said: "As much as the fans drilled home to me that games against Meadow are never a friendly, it still was a friendly for us.
"We treated the game with the respect it was due and fielded a strong team but for me it was all about getting minutes in the legs.
"We knew it was going to be frantic. It's a local derby with a cup at stake and our first proper game.
"A couple of things we weren't happy with at half-time. As soon as we got the goals, we were in control.
"There's things we can scrub up on but I'm happy enough."
The game began in typically frenetic fashion but Meadow should have taken the lead in 15 minutes when Callum Graham found himself with the goal at his mercy only for Gordon to block his first time shot from a cross.
Buffs survived a few more near misses before Thomas Collins registered their first effort on target, a deflected strike that had the sting taken out it by the time it reached goalkeeper Marc Waters.
There was plenty of huffing and puffing from both teams before the break but a lack of a cutting edge.
Buffs got the second half off to the perfect start when McEvoy tapped home a cross at the back post.
Meadow were rattled and when Mackin's tremendous 20-yard strike from a tight angle went in off the post in 55 minutes it looked a long way back for the visitors.
Both teams rang the changes and it made for a stop-start, scrappy affair.
Meadow pushed hard late on, Conor O'Donnell forcing a flying fingertip save from Gordon before the keeper positioned himself well to keep out a Keir Milliken header.
Gordon certainly ingratiated himself with the Buffs faithful but Gormley was keen to keep his feet on the ground.
He said: "As harsh as it sounds that's why he's here - to keep the ball out the net - and I reiterated that.
"It's the same with Dylan. After his goal I told him, that's what I want. If you're not scoring I'm asking questions."
