Largs Thistle 1 Pollok 2 Pollok sneaked all the points at Barrfields after some incredible drama in the dying minutes of this top v bottom clash.

Many expected the Glagsow side to come and dominate, and with two goals in the opening ten minutes, it looked like the league leaders were about to go on and record a handsome away victory.

But Largs came roaring back only to be cruelly denied by an incident reminiscient of the England v West Germany world cup final from 1966, but with very different results.

The visitors opened the scoring after a deep cross from the right hand side was not picked up, and David Winters tapped home at the far post on five minutes.

And McAleenan doubled Pollok’s lead on ten minutes as his curling free kick around the left of the wall was hit with power and precision - he curled low into the left of the net.

Pollok had further chances with Largs keeper Ross Lundy particularly busy with two outstanding saves, first from McKenzie’s half volley which he blocked well, and secondly, from a stinging shot by Fry, palmed over the bar instinctively. The shot was hit with real venom, and it was one of the saves of the season, and it kept Largs within touching distance of Pollok.

And on 34 minutes, Largs managed to half the deficit as Gary Fleming led the way to goal with a powerful strike which took a vicious deflection, giving Pollok keeper Ward no chance. Game on!

In the second half, Lundy made some more important stops to deny Pollok, but Largs were starting to proverbially turn the screw, and the arrival of forwards James Marks and Euan Lindsay as subs added further fuel to the fire.

Pollok were reduced to ten man after a red card for McLennan for a foul of Murray near the touchline. McDonald blasted an effort from distance after an opening towards goal but it flashed wide of the post.

Thistle were engineering chances and with Marks heading an opportunity over the bar. And with two minutes of regulation time to go, McDonald hit a powerful piledriver from the right which smashed off the underside off the crossbar. Thistle claimed a goal as the ball bounced down, before a Pollok defender punched the ball away.

Play was stopped, but Largs players were furious as no goal or penalty was awarded in high drama.

And in the last minute, Thistle had a final chance to get even but the ball fell to defender to Willie Kinniburgh who was clean through five yards on goal but mis-connected and the chance was easily saved by Ward.

The goal that wasn’t was a huge talking point after the match, and that point could have been huge for Largs in their relegation battle, but instead, it is Pollok who collected full points, and were mightily relieved when the full time whistle sounded, and Thistle were left to wonder what might have been.

Sometimes you need a rub of the green, and Largs, sitting bottom of the league, needed it to go their way on Saturday but unfortunately referee Colin Pensom and his assistants missed what appeared to be a clear penalty kick at the very least for Thistle who are battling for their lives. How significant that point could be come the end of the season could be critical to Thistle’s survival chances in the Stagecoach First Division.

It was a sickener for Bryan Slavin, Stuart Davidson, and the boys, but other than the final score, all Largs can take from the second half are positives, and if they keep battling in this manner, they can still pull off the great escape.

Largs: Lundy, Fisher, Murray, Kinniburgh, Little, McDonald, Muir, Fleming, Pierce, Struthers, Keogh. Subs: Lindsay, Marks, Thomson, Frizzell, Jamieson.