Hurlford 1 Largs Thistle 0

A late penalty sealed a semi final place for Hurlford against Largs in a closely fought encounter in the Ardagh Cup.

Largs started with gusto and nearly caught the Blair Park side off guard with a blazing effort from Jamie Campbell turned away by keeper Murchie in the opening minute.

Thistle's Iain Fisher was screaming in agony after coming off the worse in a challenge, suffering an ankle injury, and had to be replaced by Matthew Ashe.

Former Thistle forward James Marks tried to make himself busy and set up team mate Ross Robertson to stride towards goal, but Largs keeper Sean Graham made the first of a series of top quality stops as he raced off his line to save at the forward's feet.

Hurlford kept the pressure on and had further chances but Sean Graham was equal to them, while Largs had some good headed opportunities from Creag Little, and then Nicky Jamieson which resulted in a top drawer fingertip save from Murchie.

A fast paced Thistle move carved open Hurlford as half-time approached with good work from Kasubandi to find Campbell and his clever curling pass with the outside of his foot to McWatters resulted in Thistle's new signing sending in a high and dangerous ball to the centre of the box, but unfortuantely Orr's headed effort was well off target.

The second half opened with Hurlford trying to ruffle Thistle's feathers with Graham making a few more solid stops, and McKnight rattling the Largs woodwork with a powerful strike from the edge of the area.

Muir's energetic running resulted in a good threaded pass to Scott Adam who managed a clear sight at goal but his low driven shot from the edge of the area was expertly saved by Murchie again.

Muir himself managed to dispossess a defender, and cut into the box from the left but his curling effort finished high and wide.

Hurlford were still very much in the game, and had their own openings with a few close things, and Graham again having to look lively to get down well to beat away McKenzie's dangerous effort after a good build-up from the home side.

Just as it looked like we were heading for a penalty shoot-out, Hurlford won a penalty kick on 89 minutes after a Creag Little foul to impede a forward  as he attempted to race through on goal.

Former Kilmarnock forward Mark Roberts despatched the spot-kick with glee to send the East Ayrshire outfit into the semi-finals. Largs had contained Hurlford well and had their own chances, and can take credit for pushing the Premier side so close.

Hurlford: Murchie, Hodge, Lidington, McKillin, Mitchell, Jenkins, McKenzie, McNight, Marks, Robertson, Agnew. Subs: Mitchell, Roberts, Watt, Kean, Brown.

Largs: Graham, Fisher, McMaster, Little, Jamieson, Campbell, Orr, Muir, Adam, Kasubandi, McWaters. Subs: Burden, Fleming, Gilbride, Ashe, Lundy (GK)