Published: Saturday, 24th November, 2007 17:10
Thistle throw away two goal lead
By Calum Corral
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Largs Thistle 2 Lesmahagow 2
Thistle let a two goal lead slip during a madcap three minute period in the second half after being on cruise control for an hour.
The Barrfields side were two goals up after Graham Black converted two penalty kicks but despite dominating play and missing some good chances to go further ahead, it was Lesmahagow who came roaring back and could even have won the encounter.
The first half was pretty much all Largs as they did all the running with Cummings and Fulton particularly effective in Thistle attacks.
Marks provided a good crossfield pass to Black on the left and he darted past two defenders to hit a low curling shot which was easily smothered by the Lesmahagow keeper.
There were some good 1-2s as Largs kept the Lesmahagow defence on their toes with Marks also firing in a quick shot whihch was well saved.
Lesmahagow nearly took an undeserved lead on 29 minutes after a good ball down the right was chased and crossed but McGeogh had his angle narrowed by Stewart Hendren in the Largs defence and Stephen Connick was able to make a comfortable save from the close range effort.
Thistle won a penalty two minutes later as Black was taken down by the keeper during some dangerous play in the box. The Thistle striker confidently struck the ball into the left corner.
On 41 minutes, Largs gained a two goal advantage as they won their second spot-kick of the afternoon after John Robertson's cross into the box was adjudged to have been handled. Again, Black cooly converted.
Largs were denied what seemed a certain third as the offside flag was incorrectly raised after Michael Fulton had waited to run on to Jamie Marks perfect threaded pass through the defence. The decision was very late but Largs did not seem to have a care in the world as that point come the interval as they were comfortably ahead.
Lesmahagow introduced a dangerous sub winger Davies down the left and he made an immediate impact at the start of the second half as he blazed down the left but Hendren came to the rescue with a first class diving tackle in the nick of time.
Thistle should have made it three when John Robertson in midfield, who was tireless in his efforts all afternoon, raced forward and sent over a curling ball which was missed by Jamie Marks head and the stretching Martin Dow at the far post. It was a great opportunity to clinch the encounter it turned out as Thistle then collapsed.
They suffered some real bad luck on the hour mark as McKee stepped up to take a free kick which took an awful deflection and sailed past Connick's groping hand and into the net.
Thistle's bad luck was compounded on 63 minutes as Lesmahagow levelled the scores as Davies trickery down the left resulted in a quick low cross which Connick spilled into the path of Gililand who pounced from close range.
A flurry of substitutions resulted in Gus Gault, Jasper Donnelly and Phil Cannie coming on but despite some quick passes and tricky moves, they could not find a way through. John Robertson looked like he received a strong shove in the box but there was little hope of Thistle winning a third penalty of the afternoon.Black then had a curled effort from the edge of the area which was collected by the keeper.
Connick then came to the rescue of Largs after pulling off a fine save to tip away an arching shot from McGeogh from the right side of the area when clean through. Even Lesmahagow fans were amazed at Connick's save.
Lesmahagow had the better possession towards the end of this encounter and nearly made Thistle pay for missing their earlier chances as two shots were dramatically blocked by the Thistle defence.
There is little doubt that the home form is hurting Largs who should now have taken full points against Maybole, Clydebank and Lesmahagow but have only gained two points out of a possible nine in matches in which they were the better side.
Despite the penalty kicks, Largs did not score from open play and should have finished off Lesmahagow when they had the opportunity. But like their recent home encounter against Benburb, they let a lead collapse.
Thistle need to find a way to stop hitting the panic button in the final twenty minutes of matches as time and again sides are finishing stronger against them despite Largs generally being the better side throughout.
Thistle: Connick, Jamieson, Hendren, McCann, Shearer, Dow, Robertson, Fulton, Black, Marks, Cummings. Subs: Graham, Donnelly, Gault, Cannie, Molloy.
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