Cupar Hearts 4-3 Largs Thistle AFC

Largs amateurs exited the Scottish Cup in agonising fashion with an injury time own goal deciding an end-to-end match with Cupar Hearts.

It was a ‘classic cup tie’ with no shortage of drama, contentious decisions and plenty of goals to keep the large crowd entertained.

The hosts started the tie in much brighter fashion, with Largs, perhaps, feeling the effects of a long bus trip to the home of the Kingdom Caledonian League side.

Despite the sluggish start, it was Largs who took the lead with their first real attack of the match when Ryan McMunn headed home following an excellent cross from Fraser Russell. The lead did not last long, however, as Cupar equalised from the penalty spot after their striker was upended in the box.

The home side’s advantage was soon doubled when a Cupar player latched on to a loose ball in the box to fire beyond David Cunningham in the Largs goal. During an at times chaotic first half, Cunningham and his opposite number were both involved in handling offences outside their penalty boxes. While the Cupar goalkeeper’s offence went unnoticed, the Largs number one looked set for an early bath until the referee decided a yellow card was sufficient punishment.

The referee made another decision in Largs’ favour when he awarded the visitors a penalty for a handball offence in the box. Though the decision seemed harsh, Martin Dunlop made no mistake from the resultant spot-kick and Largs found themselves level.

The visitors suffered a double blow before the break when player manager Alistair McGowan and Dale Robson had to hobble off injured. The unfortunate pair were replaced by Brendan Hill and Reece Clark.

There still remained time before the half-time whistle for Cupar to regain the lead. A well struck free-kick bounced off the crossbar before deflecting off Cunningham’s head and into the net. The goal was harsh on Cunningham – who had made some excellent first-half saves – but a deserved one for the hosts, who played the better football in the first half against a Largs side who struggled to find any fluency to their play.

The second half saw a much improved performance from the away side. McGowan moved Dunlop up front to join Sean Robb, who had been isolated as the lone striker in the first half. With David Mills and Fraser Russell taking charge of the midfield battle, Largs began to dominate proceedings. The equalising goal came from full-back George Hawkins who headed home from close range after a combination of Mills and Robb set him up.

The visitors almost went in front when Hill latched on to an excellent long range pass from Russell, but his lobbed finish drifted wide. The referee made another big call when a Cupar defender was only cautioned after bringing down Dunlop, who, although at the half-way line, looked to have a clear run at goal.

Though Largs looked the most likely to score at this stage, they had to remain alert at the back, with Cupar’s front line always looking hungry. Fortunately for Largs, the centre half pairing of Stuart Turley and David Mitchell were in fine form, with both making a number of excellent interventions to keep the hosts at bay.

Just as it seemed Largs had secured a hard earned replay, the killer blow was struck deep into injury time. A corner from the right wing sailed over Dunlop and his opponent at the front post with the ball hitting off Mitchell and sailing, agonisingly, beyond the reach of Cunningham. The goal was harsh on Largs and, in particular, Mitchell, who had - just moments earlier - made a superb tackle to thwart the Cupar striker.

Despite the defeat, Largs can take heart from a valiant effort and they will look to get back to winning ways when they welcome Beith for a league fixture this Saturday.

The club would like to thank JG Sharps and the Largs Thistle community for their continued sponsorship and support.