Largs Thistle 0 Beith 1

Largs were undone in this game by a cruel piece of misfortune but could have few complaints about the final outcome.

Scottish Cup champions Beith - nicknamed 'The Mighty' - dominated the match in terms of chances, but couldn't add to their solitary goal, and Thistle worked hard throughout but couldn't find the breakthrough they craved.

Thistle received a late call-off as the influential defender Nicky Jamieson had to be replaced by Eddie Walton after picking up an injury during warm-up.

It was an early goal which was to settle the outcome on two minutes as Calum Watt cut in from the right and managed to get in a deflected shot, which left Thistle keeper Ross Lundy without a chance.

Largs tried to respond and ex-Kilbirnie Matt Bennett nearly burst through but stumbled under a defender's challenge and the opportunity was lost.

Beith were looking to try and build on their lead and Thistle's Laurie McMaster had to bravely head clear from just in front of the line, as crosses were being sprayed into the Thistle box.

The Garnock Valley side continued to dictate the pace, and their best opportunity fell to Darren Christie who headed wide of the post from close range.

Jamie McDonald gave away another free kick and was yellow carded for his troubles, but the combative midfielder was back in the area to head clear from the resultant set-piece.

Thistle's Creag Little then made a terrific diving challenge on the edge of the area as Beith again threatened at the end of the half.

Morton on-loan winger Alec McWatters replaced the hobbling Bennett, and tried to make in-roads to the Beith goal.

Beith's Calum Watt got into dangerous positions but was twice denied by blocking Thistle challenges on 55 minutes.

Thistle were putting in plenty of endeavour to match Beith, but failed to seriously pierce the visiting defence, with one long cross being knocked wide by off balance Gilbride.

Lundy made some smart saves, including punching away McGowan's piledriver but the offside flag was raised.

Beith scorned another glorious chance as McPherson's glancing header from McMenamin's arching cross finished up just wide of the right post on 65 minutes.

Largs tried to find an opening with the ever resourceful James Marks getting into good positioning but the cross was just too high and he could only nod over the bar.

And former Largs defender John Sheridan nearly put the game beyond doubt with a typically fierce downwards header but Lundy was quick to repel.

Larry McMahon replaced Robert Love for the final minutes for Thistle, but it was Beith's experienced striker Kenny McLean who fired in a dangerous effort that Lundy managed to keep it out once more.

Given Beith have set the benchmark in the Scottish Juniors during the past year, Thistle weren't too far away and can hopefully take confidence from this going into the rest of the season, but need to create more chances.

Largs: Lundy, Gilbride, McMaster, Walton, Little, McDonald, Tennent, Fleming, Love, Marks, Bennett. Subs: Littler, Thomson, McWaters, McMahon, Graham (GK)

Beith: Grindlay, McGlinchey, McMenamin, McLauchlan, Sheridan, Wilson, Watt, Frize, McPherson, Christie, McGowan. Subs: McLean, Collins,Burke, Martin, McDonald.

* A minute's applause was held in memory of Largs man Robert McLeod, who featured for Thistle briefly in the 1990s, as a striker.

* Photos by Charles Gilmour